Predictive risk factors for delayed sternal closure in the patients under the age of three months old with congenital cardiac disease

Objective To analyze the risk factors related with delayed sternal closure(DSC)in the patients under three months old with complex cardiac disease.Methods One hundred and nineteen patients underwent median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)between Jan 2000 to Oct 2006.The age ranged from 1 to 90 days(mean 44±26 days)and the weight ranged from 2.2 kg to 7.1 kg(mean 3.9±0.89 kg).SPSS v 11.5 software was used to analyze the factors including the age,gender,weight,preoperative conditions,diagnose,prematurity,requirement for preoperative mechanic ventilation,preoperative SPO2,cardia-thoracic area ratio,left ventricular faction,CPB duration,clamping time,total circulatory arrest with profound hypothermia.Results Forty-seven patients had DSC.The rate of DSC iS over 75% for IAA or TAPVD(infracardiac)or TGA/VSD.The risk factors including age(P=0.032),pre-operative mechanic ventilation(P=0.001),CPB duration(P=0.000),total circulatory arrest with profound hypothermia(P=0.001).They were statistically significant(multivariate logistic regression).Conclusions DSC is a simple,safe and efficient procedure for the complex cardiac diseases.DSC iS related to IAA or TAPVD(infracardiac)or TGA/VSD.Age,pre-operative mechanic ventilation,CPB duration,total circulatory arrest with profound hypothermia are the risk factors for DSC.Understanding the factors iS helpful in the clinical decision making process. Key words: Cardiac disease,congenital; Risk factor; Cardiac surgical procedures