Risk factors for deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery in Jordan

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess rates of and risk factors for deep sternal wound infection after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Background: Deep sternal wound infection is one of the most devastating complications of cardiac surgery, resulting in multiple operative and non-operative procedures and increased hospital costs. Design: A retrospective design using an existing coronary artery surgery database of adults (n = 206) who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries between January 2004-January 2006 at a university affiliated hospital, northern Jordan was used. Method: Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to asses rates of and risk factors for deep sternal wound infection. Results: Deep sternal wound infection incidence rate was 22% of the total sample. Risk factors of deep sternal wound infection include: (1) diabetes (OR. = 0·317, p = 0·048), (2) Obesity (OR = 0·275, p = 0·011), (3) duration of surgery (OR. = 4·22, p = 0·032) and (4) use of intraaortic balloon pump (OR = 0·033, p = 0·001). Conclusion: The proposed model provides a preliminary indication of risk factors placing coronary artery bypass grafting patients at risk of DSWI. Further investigations and testing of the model are needed. Relevance to clinical practice: Determining patients who are at risk of developing deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgeries is the first step towards its prevention.