A recent study found that about one in five older adults develops an infection within six months after heart surgery. Women and Black patients are at even greater risk, according to research led by Michigan Medicine.
The study looked at thousands of older patients on Medicare who had undergone heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass grafting, or CABG) or aortic valve replacement. Researchers found that women were 60% more likely to develop infections after surgery.
The most common infections were urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and sepsis. Black patients also had a higher rate of infections (28%) compared to white patients (19.2%).
The results were published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Infection Rates and Hospital Differences
One part of the study focused on hospitals in Michigan. It found that 21.2% of patients developed an infection within six months of their operation. The most common infections, UTIs and pneumonia, accounted for nearly 17% of all cases. Infection rates varied widely, with some hospitals reporting rates 40% higher than others.
Dr. J’undra N. Pegues, one of the study’s authors, explained that tracking infections over a longer period is important. Some hospitals are better equipped to prevent infections, while certain patients face greater health risks due to their living conditions or other factors.
Why Were Infections Higher in This Study?
Previous studies reported lower infection rates after these heart procedures. However, researchers believe the higher numbers in this study are due to the longer six-month follow-up period. Many earlier studies only tracked infections for 30 days after surgery.
Dr. Donald Likosky, a senior researcher on the study, explained that patients who undergo heart surgery remain at risk for infections for months. Some of these infections, such as UTIs and gastrointestinal infections, take longer to develop.
Dr. Charles Schwartz, another author, noted that most national health databases do not track infections beyond 30 days. This means the true impact of post-surgery infections has likely been underestimated in the past.
Heart Surgery and Infection Risks
Heart bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement are two of the most common heart surgeries in Michigan. Nationwide, bypass surgery accounts for over 70% of heart operations.
One of the Michigan-based studies found that patients treated in hospitals with higher infection rates were more likely to be sent to rehabilitation centers or extended care facilities after their surgery. This suggests that hospital quality plays a key role in patient recovery.
Dr. Francis Pagani, another researcher, pointed out that infections are not just an early risk. They can also appear later, especially in older patients with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer.
Reducing the Risk of Infection
The research team emphasized the need for hospitals to work together to reduce infection rates, particularly for women and Black patients who face a higher risk.
Between 2012 and 2017, a statewide effort in Michigan helped some hospitals lower the risk of pneumonia after surgery. This was done through improved infection prevention strategies.
Dr. Syed Sikandar Raza, another author, stressed that hospitals and community groups must work together to develop better ways to prevent post-surgery infections.
Final Thoughts
This study highlights the long-term risks of infection after heart surgery, particularly for certain groups. It also shows how hospital quality and patient health conditions can impact recovery.
The findings suggest that infection rates may be much higher than previously reported, since many studies only track patients for a short period. A longer follow-up period can provide a clearer picture of the risks involved.
More research is needed to develop better infection prevention strategies, especially for high-risk patients. By improving hospital practices and tracking infections over a longer period, healthcare providers can help ensure better outcomes for heart surgery patients.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and common blood test could advance heart failure treatment.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about a new way to repair human heart, and results showing drinking coffee may help reduce heart failure risk.
The research findings can be found in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
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