[Prevention and treatment of infectious complications in myocardial revascularization]

The study was conducted in a group of 440 patients who underwent planned operations for ischemic heart disease. Three current methods of preventive antibiotic therapy were compared. The influence of various risk factors on the incidence of infectious complications was analysed. Experience with closed mediastinitis management was also analysed. The effect of a short-term (1-3 days) course of claforan in prevention of infectious complications is the same as that of a 5-7-day course of cefamezin or gentamicin. Postoperative mediastinitis developed in 11 (2.5%) patients. It was managed in all patients by closed irrigation and drainage of the retrosternal space. The average duration of mediastinal irrigation was 7.4 days. Convalescence was attained in all cases.