One-year results from the first US-based enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERAS Cardiac) program.

Objective: Our enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERAS Cardiac) program is an evidence-based interdisciplinary process, which has not previously been systematically applied to cardiac surgery in the United States.

Methods: The Knowledge-to-Action Framework synthesized evidence-based enhanced recovery interventions and implementation of a designated ERAS Cardiac program. Standardized processes included (1) preoperative patient education, (2) carbohydrate loading 2 hours before general anesthesia, (3) multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia, (4) goal-directed perioperative insulin infusion, and (5) a rigorous bowel regimen.

Silver-Impregnated Dressing Does Not Decrease Incidence of Surgical Site Infection After Adult Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: Sternal wound infections complicate 1% to 8% of cardiac surgeries and carry significant morbidity. We investigated the utility of silver-impregnated dressing in decreasing sternal wound infections after sternotomy cases.

Methods: A single-institution cohort study was performed as part of a quality improvement trial of a new sternal dressing.