There were no statistically significant differences in mortality , infections overall and adverse events .
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis of ≥24 hours may be more efficacious in preventing sternal SSIs in patients undergoing cardiac surgery compared to shorter regimens .
OBJECTIVE We aim ed to compare the efficacy of short-term ( < 24 hours ) versus longer-term antibiotic prophylaxis ( ≥24 hours ) in open heart surgery .
BACKGROUND The optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis for adults undergoing cardiac surgery is unknown and guideline recommendations are inconsistent .
Aortocoronary bypass procedures and sternotomy infections: a study of antistaphylococcal prophylaxis.
In a prospect i ve study of cephalothin prophylaxis for patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass an unacceptably high rate ( 44 % ) of Staphylococcus aureus sternotomy infections occurred in a placebo-treated group . In two other groups of patients , one group given cephalothin intraoperatively and the other given the antibiotic both intra- and postoperatively , such infections occurred with similar frequency ( 2.6 % and 2.1 % respectively ) . This study demonstrates the need for  antistaphylococcal agents  during aortocoronary bypass operation . No advantage is derived by extending this therapy beyond the operative period
There were no statistically significant differences in mortality , infections overall and adverse events .
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis of ≥24 hours may be more efficacious in preventing sternal SSIs in patients undergoing cardiac surgery compared to shorter regimens .
OBJECTIVE We aim ed to compare the efficacy of short-term ( < 24 hours ) versus longer-term antibiotic prophylaxis ( ≥24 hours ) in open heart surgery .
BACKGROUND The optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis for adults undergoing cardiac surgery is unknown and guideline recommendations are inconsistent .