Comparison of cephalothin and ceforanide prophylaxis in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Eighty-five patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were given either cephalothin or ceforanide perioperatively in randomized, blinded fashion. The incidence of surgically related, postoperative infections was 23% for the cephalothin- and 26% for the ceforanide-treated groups. There were no statistically significant differences that could be identified between patients who became infected and those who remained free of infections, although the time spent in the operating theater was longer for the former group. Ceforanide achieves adequate levels in plasma and myocardial tissue that are sustained several hours after a 0.5-g parenteral dose and allows a 12-h interval between doses. Other currently available agents would have to be administered more frequently to achieve similar results.