title: Evaluation of fever and infections in cardiac surgery patients.
abstract: Fever following cardiac surgery is common and may be infectious or noninfectious in etiology. In this article, we review the major causes of postoperative fever while highlighting special considerations in cardiac surgery patients. We also outline a structured approach to evaluation and present an overview of diagnostic and management considerations for mediastinitis, postpericardiotomy syndrome, prosthetic valve endocarditis, aortic vascular graft infections, and ventricular assist device infections.
authors: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA crhee1@partners.org.
authors: Chanu
authors: C
authors: Rhee
authors: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Paul Edward
authors: PE
authors: Sax
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
keywords: cardiac surgery; cardiopulmonary bypass; critical care; inflammation; intensive care unit; postoperative complications