Analysis of Characteristics and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infection after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

The purpose of this study was to examine surgical site infection (SSI) characteristics and risk factors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted, involving patients undergoing CABG surgery at a tertiary care hospital in Seoul, between January 2010 and December 2013. This study adopted the SSI definition proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and only infections at the sternotomy site were included. Multivariate risk analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for CABG SSI. Results: Out of 998 CABG patients, 3.9% (39) cases of SSI were identified. In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (OR=2.016, 95% CI=0.994-4.089), increased body mass index (BMI) (OR=4.555, 95% CI=1.748-11.871), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (OR=1.106, 95% CI=1.021-1.197), and undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery (OR=2.790, 95% CI=1.239-6.286) were significantly associated with CABG SSI. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, increased BMI, RBC transfusion, and undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery are independent risk factors for CABG SSI.