Antibiotic prophylaxis for cardiac surgery

Abstract

Antibiotic prophylaxis for cardiac surgery is a controversial area. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have concluded that surgical site infection can be reduced by prolonging prophylaxis for 24-48 h. Also, post-operative pneumonia and all-cause mortality can be reduced by giving agents with both anti-Gram-negative and anti-Gram-positive activity. The choice of the most appropriate regimen remains open to debate. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.