J Cardiothorac Surg
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2013
Preoperative hospital length of stay as a modifiable risk factor for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.
As high-risk cardiac patients frequently remain within hospital while waiting for surgery, the aim of the present study was to determine the role of preoperative length of hospital stay on mediastinitis, and also, to assess contemporary risk factors for this complication. ⋯ In addition to the traditional risk factors, prolonged preoperative hospital stay is also a significant and potentially modifiable predictor for the development of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. All efforts should be made to minimize the delay in operating on hospitalized patients awaiting heart surgery.