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Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:356-361
© 1997 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original Article: Cardiovascular

Glucose Control Lowers the Risk of Wound Infection in Diabetics After Open Heart Operations

Albert Starr Academic Center for Cardiac Surgery, Providence St. Vincent Hospital & Medical Center, Portland, Oregon

	Abstract

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
Background. Elevated blood glucose levels in the postoperative period are associated with an increased risk of deep wound infection in diabetic individuals undergoing open heart operations at Providence St. Vincent Hospital.

Methods. Of 8,910 patients who underwent cardiac operations between 1987 and 1993, 1,585 (18%) were diabetic. The rate of deep sternal wound infections in diabetic patients was 1.7%, versus 0.4% for nondiabetics. Nine hundred ninety patients had their operation before implementation of the protocol and 595 after implementation. Charts of all diabetic patients were reviewed. Mean blood glucose levels were calculated from documented results of finger-stick glucometer testing.

Results. Thirty-three diabetic patients suffered 35 deep wound infections: 27 sternal (1.7%) and eight at the donor site (0.5%). Infected diabetic patients had a higher mean blood glucose level through the first 2 postoperative days than noninfected patients (208 ± 7.1 versus 190 ± 0.8 mg/dL; p < 0.003) and had a greater body mass index (31.5 ± 1.4 versus 28.6 ± 0.1 kg/m²; p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that mean blood glucose level for the first 2 days (p = 0.002), obesity (p < 0.002), and use of the internal mammary artery (p < 0.02) were all independent predictors of deep wound infection. Institution of a protocol of postoperative continuous intravenous insulin to maintain blood glucose level less than 200 mg/dL was begun in September 1991. This protocol resulted in a decrease in blood glucose levels for the first 2 postoperative days and a concomitant decrease in the proportion of patients with deep wound infections, from 2.4% (24/990) to 1.5% (9/595) (p < 0.02).

Conclusions. The incidence of deep wound infection in diabetic patients was reduced after implementation of a protocol to maintain mean blood glucose level less than 200 mg/dL in the immediate postoperative period.

	Introduction

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
Intensive diabetic therapy with improved blood glucose control has been shown to delay the long-term detrimental effects of microvascular complications [1] and to prevent impairment of the white blood cell's ability to phagocytose and effectively kill bacteria [2, 3]. The importance of defects in leukocyte function in diabetics was addressed in 1982 by Rayfield and associates [4] at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, when they showed a significant positive correlation between mean plasma glucose levels and the frequency of acute infections. The diminution of intracellular bactericidal activity of leukocytes to both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was shown to have a direct relation to glucose control. Studies by Hennessy and colleagues [5] at the University of Texas Medical School showed the detrimental effects of short-term hyperglycemia on the ability of immunoglobulin G to fix complement, one aspect of antimicrobial immune function. Of importance, their studies showed significant increases in glycation after only 16 hours [5]. The same group demonstrated that pretreatment of human immunoglobulin with 240 mg of glucose per deciliter of saline solution for as short as 8 hours under physiologic conditions stops its ability to extend survival in an asplenic, infant rat model [6]. Further, extracellular glycosylation of proteins in diabetics has been shown to impair wound healing and is associated with increased collagenase activity and decreased wound collagen content [7].

	Material and Methods

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
Clinical Methods
A diabetic protocol (Appendix 1) was designed and implemented that standardized the titration of intravenous insulin to maintain the mean blood glucose (BG) level less than 200 mg/dL. Blood glucose levels were determined by glucometer measurements, and insulin was titrated by critical care nurses. There were no changes in antibiotic protocols during this time, and procedures were performed by the same surgical group. Data were collected by retrospective chart review on all diabetic patients who had cardiac operations between 1987 and 1993 at Providence St. Vincent Hospital. Table 1 shows baseline data for the patients before and after implementation of the protocol. Daily mean BG levels were calculated by averaging the levels obtained clinically by finger stick every 1 to 2 hours and were recorded in the medical record. Levels were compared before and after implementation of the diabetic protocol (Fig 1), and patients with deep wound infections were compared with those who did not become infected (Fig 2).

View larger version (13K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 1. . Mean blood glucose levels in all diabetic patients before and after implementation of the diabetic protocol.

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 2. . Comparison of mean blood glucose levels in diabetic patients (Pts) with and without deep wound infection (includes mediastinitis, sternal wound infections involving the sternum and deeper, and vein donor-site infections involving Scarpa's fascia and deeper).

Definitions were as follows: Body mass index = weight/height²; body surface area = body weight^0.425 x height^0.725 x 0.007184 (Dubois' equation); obesity = body mass index greater than 27.5. "Deep wound infection" included mediastinitis, sternal wound infections involving the sternum and deeper, and vein donor-site infections involving Scarpa's fascia and deeper. "Diabetic patients" included those who were insulin dependent and non–insulin-dependent at the time of operation. We excluded patients who were not diabetic but temporarily required insulin in the postoperative period related to the administration of total parenteral nutrition or inotropic agents (ie, epinephrine), and who did not require therapy after the discontinuation of these treatments.

"Elective status at operation" denoted one that was performed on a patient with cardiac function that had been stable in the days or weeks before operation. Cases are usually scheduled at least 1 day before the surgical procedure. "Urgent status at operation" included any patient who did not have to go to the operating room emergently but required operation on the basis of medical necessity before discharge. These patients had unstable symptoms or critical anatomy and often required intravenous intervention, ie, nitroglycerin, heparin, or inotropic support, for stabilization before operation. These patients did not fit into the elective, emergent or salvage categories. "Emergent status at operation" denoted cases that permitted no delay in operative intervention. Patients requiring emergency operation had ongoing, refractory, unrelenting cardiac compromise, with or without hemodynamic instability, and were not responsive to any form of therapy except cardiac operation. "Salvage status at operation" involved any patient in extremis or in cardiogenic shock going into the operating room. This included patients who came to the operating room with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in progress. "Renal insufficiency" was defined as physician-documented renal insufficiency or patients with an increase in the creatinine level to greater than 2.0 mg/dL.

Clinical Material
In all, 8,910 patients underwent cardiac operations between 1987 and 1993; 1,585 were diabetic (18%): 35% insulin dependent, 47% taking oral agents, 10% diet controlled, and 6% on no treatment before admission. The mean age was 65 ± 9.7 years; 61% (963/1,585) were male. There were 1,378 coronary artery bypass grafting operations (63% using the internal mammary artery), 110 valve operations, 84 valve/coronary artery bypass grafting, and 12 other operations; 213 (14%) were redo-sternotomies. The overall mortality rate in the diabetic population was 5.7% (90/1,585). Thirty-three patients suffered 35 deep wound infections (2.1%): sternal in 27 and donor in eight. Of those patients who died, 6.7% (6/90) had deep wound infection. Of 33 patients who had deep wound infections, 6 died (18%). Diabetic patients who were admitted with endocarditis (n = 6) were included, but none of them had deep wound infection.

	Results

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
Implementation of the diabetic protocol in September 1991 resulted in a decrease in the mean BG levels on the first postoperative day (206 versus 172 mg/dL; p < 0.005) and the second postoperative day (195 versus 176 mg/dL; p < 0.002) (see Fig 1), and over 48 hours (201 versus 174 mg/dL; p < 0.003). Glucose levels were measured by glucometer tests, as indicated in the protocol (see Appendix 1). The rate of deep sternal wound infection in diabetic patients dropped from 2.8% in 1987 to 0.74% in 1993, the third year after implementation. When measured over a 5-year period before implementation of the diabetic protocol, the rate in diabetic patients was 2.1% versus 0.98% in the 3 years after implementation. In nondiabetic patients, the 5-year rate was 0.4%, versus 0.31% for the 3 years after implementation.

Elevated BG at 48 hours was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of deep wound infection (p < 0.002) (see Fig 2; Fig 3). When looked at over time, the rate of infection in diabetic patients dropped after implementation of the diabetic protocol (Fig 4). Univariate regression analysis of variables considered as possible predictors of deep wound infection in diabetic patients revealed the following to be significant at p < 0.05: body mass index, average BG at 48 hours, BG on the first and second postoperative days, and use of the internal mammary artery. Variables in the multivariable predictive model found to be significant at p < 0.05 were body mass index, use of the internal mammary artery, and mean BG levels at 48 hours greater than 200 mg/dL (Table 2). Postoperative BG and the deep wound infection rate showed a significant direct relation (p = 0.002) (Fig 5). This model demonstrates the ability to identify diabetic patients at higher risk of deep wound infection after cardiac operations (Fig 6).

View larger version (40K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 3. . Mean blood glucose levels on the first postoperative day (POD) for patients with deep wound infection and for all patients.

View larger version (19K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 4. . Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) in patients having cardiac operations: all patients versus diabetic patients versus nondiabetic patients.

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 5. . Significant direct relation shown between postoperative blood glucose level and deep infection rates.

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 6. . Reliability of the model to assign appropriate risk is shown by comparing groups according to the expected risk of infection versus actual infection rates.

	Comment

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

This was an observational study using retrospective chart review. We recognize the inherent problems of lack of recognition of important variations among patient populations and the potential bias to which this type of investigation may be prone. However, we believe that the significant impact on mean BG levels with use of the protocol is a determining factor in the dramatic decrease in our infection rates. We are confident that the decreased rates before and after implementation of the protocol (p = 0.14) will show higher significance as more patients are added to the study (see Fig 3).

In conclusion, elevated BG levels immediately after cardiac operations in diabetic patients in our study were associated with a higher incidence of deep wound infection. We suggest that protocols for maintaining BG less than 200 mg/dL in the immediate postoperative period may be a factor in reducing the incidence of deep wound infection in diabetic patients.

	Appendix 1. Postoperative Insulin Protocol for Diabetic Patients

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 

1. Start infusion by pump piggyback to maintenance intravenous line as follows. Test blood glucose by finger-stick method. Blood glucose level (in mg/dL) determines insulin rate: <150, 0 U/h; 150–200, 1 U/h; 201–250, 2 U/h; >251, 3 U/h.
   
2. Frequency of blood glucose testing: (a) postoperatively every hour until stable (when frequent changes in insulin dosage are no longer necessary), then may test every 2 hours; (b) when weaning vasopressor agents (eg, adrenalin), check every 30 minutes until stable.
   
3. Insulin titration based on blood glucose level (in mg/dL): (a) <75-stop insulin, give 25 mL D⁵⁰ and recheck blood glucose in 30 minutes; when blood glucose >150 mg/dL, restart with rate 50% of previous rate; (b) 75–100-stop insulin; recheck blood glucose in 30 minutes; when blood glucose >150 mg/dL, restart with rate 50% of previous rate; (c) 101–150-decrease rate by 0.5 U/h or, if 10 mg/dL lower than last test, decrease rate by 50%; (d) 151–200-same rate; (e) 201–250-if lower than last test, same rate; if higher than last test, increase rate by 0.5 U/h; and (f) >250-if lower than last test, same rate; if higher than last test, increase rate by 1 U/h. If blood glucose is >251 mg/dL and has not decreased after three hourly increases in insulin, then double the insulin rate.
   
4. Continue intravenous insulin administration postoperatively until patient is taking a full liquid diet. Consult MD for new orders at that time.
   
5. Diabetic diet starts with any oral intake.
   

	Acknowledgments

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
We thank Kenneth Melvin, MD, Endocrinologist and Chief of Medicine, and Peter Fuchs, MD, Director of Laboratory and Hospital Epidemiologist, for their guidance, advice, and support; and Stephanie Zerr for data management support.

	Footnotes

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 
Presented at the Poster Session of the Thirty-First Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Palm Springs, CA, Jan 30–Feb 1, 1995.

Address reprint requests to Ms Zerr, Providence St. Vincent Hospital & Medical Center, 9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 97225.

	References

Top Footnotes Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Comment Appendix 1. Postoperative... Acknowledgments References

 

1. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. N Engl J Med 1993;329:977–86.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Sima AA, O'Neill SJ, Naimark D, Yagihashi S, Klass D. Bacterial phagocytosis and intracellular killing by alveolar macrophages in BB rats. Diabetes 1988;37:544–9.[Abstract]
3. Masuda M, Murakami T, Egawa H, Murata K. Decreased fluidity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes 1990;39:466–70.[Abstract]
4. Rayfield EJ, Ault MJ, Keusch GT, et al. Infection and diabetes: the case for glucose control [Review]. Am J Med 1982;72:439–50.[Medline]
5. Hennessey PJ, Black CT, Andrassy RJ. Nonenzymatic glycosylation of immunoglobulin G impairs complement fixation. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1991;15:60–4.[Abstract]
6. Black CT, Hennessey PJ, Andrassy RJ. Short-term hyperglycemia depresses immunity through nonenzymatic glycosylation of circulating immunoglobulin. J Trauma 1990;30:830–3.[Medline]
7. Hennessey PJ, Ford EG, Black CT, Andrassy RJ. Wound collagenase activity correlates directly with collagen glycosylation in diabetic rats. J Pediatr Surg 1990;25:75–8.[Medline]
8. Gadaleta D, Risucci DA, Nelson RL, et al. Effects of morbid obesity and diabetes mellitus on risk of coronary artery bypass grafting. Am J Cardiol 1992;70:1613–4.[Medline]
9. He G-W, Ryan WH, Acuff TE, et al. Risk factors for operative mortality and sternal wound infection in bilateral internal mammary artery grafting. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1991;102:342–7.[Abstract]
10. Grossi EA, Esposito R, Harris LJ, et al. Sternal wound infections and use of internal mammary artery grafts. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1991;102:342–7.
11. Singh AK, Feng WC. Sternal wound infection after myocardial revascularization with internal mammary artery. Indian Heart J 1993;45:29–31.[Medline]
12. Lust RM, Sun YS, Chitwood WR Jr. Internal mammary artery use. Sternal revascularization and experimental infection patterns. Circulation 1991;84(Suppl 3):285–9.

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