What are the potential risk factors for deep sternal wound infection?
Potential risk factors for deep sternal wound infection include diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prolonged CPB time, reoperation, prolonged intubation time, and surgical reexploration. Modifiable risk factors include smoking cessation, optimized nutritional status, adequate preoperative glycemic status, and weight loss. The use of bilateral IMAs has also been investigated as a risk factor, with skeletonization of the IMA potentially associated with a beneficial reduction in the incidence of sternal wound complications. Blood transfusions after CABG have also been associated with a higher incidence of sternal wound infections.