Influence of deep sternal wound infection on long-term survival after cardiac surgery

Abstract The lack of benefit in terms of mid-term survival and the increase in the risk of sternal wound complications published in a recent randomized controlled trial have raised concerns about the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) in myocardial revascularization surgery. For this reason, we decided to explore the current evidence available on the subject by carrying out a meta-analysis of propensity score-matched studies comparing BITA versus single internal thoracic artery (SITA). PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched for propensity score-matched studies comparing BITA versus SITA. The generic inverse variance method was used to compute the combined hazard ratio (HR) of long-term mortality. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute the combined risk ratio of 30-day mortality, deep sternal wound infection and reoperation for bleeding. Forty-five BITA versus SITA matched populations were included. Meta-analysis showed a significant benefit in terms of long-term survival in favour of the BITA group [HR 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–0.86]. These results were consistent with those obtained by a pooled analysis of the matched populations comprising patients with diabetes (HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.43–0.99). When compared with the use of SITA plus radial artery, BITA did not show any significant benefit in terms of long-term survival (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.69–1.07). No differences between BITA and SITA groups were detected in terms of 30-day mortality or in terms of reoperation for bleeding. Compared with the SITA group, patients in the BITA group had a significantly higher risk of deep sternal wound infection (risk ratio 1.66; 95% CI 1.41–1.95) even when the pooled analysis was limited to matched populations in which BITA was harvested according to the skeletonization technique (risk ratio 1.37; 95% CI 1.04–1.79). The use of BITA provided a long-term survival benefit compared with the use of SITA at the expense of a higher risk of sternal deep wound infection. The long-term survival advantage of BITA is undetectable when compared with SITA plus radial artery.

Download Full-text

Single versus bilateral mammary artery grafts in the setting of off-pump coronary revascularization: Survival benefit with bilateral mammary

10.22541/au.161522084.42564480/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Lopez-Marco ◽

Aidil Syed ◽

Mabel Phillips Bn ◽

Jennifer Williams ◽

John Hogan Phd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Infection ◽

Survival Benefit ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Deep Sternal Wound Infection ◽

Sternal Wound Infection ◽

Term Survival ◽

Off Pump ◽

Mammary Arteries ◽

Single Versus

OBJECTIVE To compare postoperative and long-term results (angina, myocardial and cerebrovascular events and coronary re-intervention) using single versus bilateral internal mammary arteries (SIMA vs. BIMA) in the setting of off-pump revascularisation (OPCAB) within a single-surgeon practice. METHODS Retrospective analysis of all isolated OPCAB performed in our institution by a single surgeon in the last 12 years.Two groups were analysed: SIMA (n = 681) and BIMA (n = 342). A propensity score matching was performed to compare the groups, reducing the sample to 684 patients.Follow-up (mean 6.5 ± 3.5 years) was done by telephone interviews or clinical visits, registering also late mortality and coronary re-intervention. Outcomes were compared to literature. RESULTS Demographic characteristics differed between groups, with BIMA offered predominantly to non-diabetic younger males (mean 59.4 years) with less comorbidity. In-hospital mortality was 2% for the SIMA group and 1% for BIMA (p = 0.18). Long-term mortality was also higher for the SIMA group (2% vs. 1% at 1 year, p = 0.22 and 16% vs. 5% at 5 years, p < 0.001). Sternal wound infection was similar in both groups (2-3%). Long-term follow-up revealed good freedom from angina (94%) with low rates of neurological and myocardial events (3%) or need for repeated revascularisation (3%) in both groups. CONCLUSION BIMA offers long-term survival benefit with similar postoperative complications. Rates of deep sternal wound infection were comparable between the two groups.Excellent outcomes can be achieved with OPCAB BIMA in real world practice with adequate patient selection.

Download Full-text