Kohli et al reported a risk index for predicting sternal surgical wound infection after cardiovascular surgery. This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from the University of Toronto.
Parameters:
(1) diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 2.4)
(2) internal mammary artery (IMA) harvested (odds ratio 3.2)
(3) reopening within 4 days because of complications (OR 4.3)
(4) number of postoperative days in the ICU (odds ratio 5.4)
Parameter
Finding
Points (from OR)
diabetes mellitus
no
0
yes
2.5
IMA harvested
no
0
yes
3
reopening
no
0
yes
4
number of days in ICU
< 4
0
>= 4
5
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 14.5
Score
Risk Group
Risk
<= 5
1 (very low risk)
1.9%
5.5 to 9
2 (low risk)
6.5%
10.5 to 11.5
3 (medium risk)
15.6%
>= 12
4 (high risk)
28.3%
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