Hemoglobin A1c and preoperative glycemia as a decision tool to help minimise sternal wound complications: a retrospective study in OPCAB patients.

Background: Poor glycemic control has been associated with an increased risk of wound complications after various types of operations. However, it remains unclear how hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and preoperative glycemia can be used in clinical decision-making to prevent sternal wound complications (SWC) following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 1774 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB surgery between January 2010 and November 2016.

Native aortic versus mitral valve infective endocarditis: a nationwide registry study.

Background: Native aortic and mitral valve infective endocarditis (AVE and MVE, respectively) are usually grouped together as left-sided native valve infective endocarditis (LNVE), while the differences between AVE and MVE have not yet been properly investigated. We aimed to compare AVE and MVE in regard to patient characteristics, microbiology and determinants of survival.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using the Swedish national registry on infective endocarditis, which contains nationwide patient data.