title: Coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetic patients - risk factors for sternal wound infections.
abstract: The incidence of sternal wound infections (SWI) after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) as reported worldwide is low. However, it is associated with significant increase of postoperative mortality and treatment costs. The major risk factors discussed are diabetes mellitus and bilateral IMA harvesting of the internal mammary artery. This study analyses data of 590 patients receiving CABG concerning the risk factors for SWI. Sternal wound infections occur significantly more often in diabetic patients, one crucial and significant additional risk factor is obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraund-Cremer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cremer
keywords: CABG; coronary artery bypass surgery; diabetes mellitus; sternal osteomyelitis; sternal wound infection