Major infections occur an average of 14.5 days after cardiac surgery, with 51% occurring after discharge; and preoperative skin preparation reduces the incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections, according to two studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011, held from Nov. 12 to 16 in Orlando, Fla.
Michael A. Acker, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and colleagues investigated the time of occurrence and risk factors for infections within 60 days of undergoing heart surgery in 5,185 patients without preoperative infections.
A total of 280 of the 733 infections were major; most commonly pneumonia (2.4 percent of all patients), and also including Clostridium difficile colitis, bloodstream infections, deep incision site infection, and mediastinitis. Major infections occurred a median of 14.5 days post-surgery, and 51% of them developed after discharge. Eight percent of patients suffered minor infections, including symptomatic urinary tract infection and superficial incision site infection.
Read the full story at: http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=65876
Sources: HealthDay; American Heart Association
Managed Care Cast Presents: Opportunities for Adalimumab Biosimilars, Part 1
November 10th 2023In part 1 of this 2-part podcast, a panel of experts discusses the provider and payer considerations for transitioning patients to biosimilars, approaches to prescribing biosimilars over reference products, and more.
Listen
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Linked to Decreased Risk for Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
November 28th 2023A nationwide cohort study linked biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs with decreased risks for the onset of autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Read More