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.