# Incidence and Predictors of Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting at a Reference Hospital in Brazil: Influence of Sex, Nutritional Risk, and Body Mass Index

## TL;DR

This study found that female sex, higher BMI, nutritional risk, and longer hospital stays increase the risk of surgical site infections after heart surgery in Brazil.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific patient-related risk factors for surgical site infections after CABG in a Brazilian hospital setting.

## Key findings

- Female sex was associated with a 2.07 times higher risk of surgical site infection.
- Higher preoperative BMI increased the risk by 11.3% per unit increase.
- Nutritional risk and longer hospitalization were also significant predictors of infection.

## Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) following coronary artery bypass grafting
(CABG) is a significant challenge that impacts quality of life and
healthcare costs. Despite advances in surgical techniques and infection
control measures, wound complications remain a major cause of morbidity and
mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence and factors
associated with an increased risk of developing postoperative SSI in
patients undergoing CABG.

Retrospective cohort study with patients undergoing isolated CABG in a
Brazilian hospital organization. Clinical data were collected through the
hospital’s information system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
used to determine risk factors associated with SSI. The analyses were
performed using Jamovi® software, with a significance set at P <
0.05.

A total of 412 patients were enrolled in the study, comprising 292 (70.8%)
men, with a mean age of 62.7 ± 8.6 years. A total of 54 (13.1%)
patients developed SSI. After multivariate regression analysis, the odds
ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of independent predictors of SSI
were female sex (OR: 2.067; 95% CI: 1.030 - 4.148), higher preoperative body
mass index (OR: 1.113; 95% CI: 1.038 - 1.194), nutritional risk (Nutritional
Risk Screening 2002 score ≥ 3) (OR: 2.468; 95% CI: 1.034 - 5.886),
and hospitalization time (OR: 1.057; 95% CI: 1.031 - 1.082).

There are patient-related factors that increase the likelihood of developing
an SSI after CABG. These findings suggest that addressing modifiable
perioperative SSI risk factors may be beneficial in reducing SSI rates and
enhancing postoperative recovery.