Preventing Mechanical Complications After Open Heart Surgery

A Randomized Trial to Assess the Contribution of a Novel Thorax Support Vest from Posthorax

Mechanical complications of median sternotomy may cause significant morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgical patients.

P Caimmi et Al from the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital of Novara ‘‘Maggiore della Carita`’’, Novara, Italy performed a randomised clinical study aimed at assessing the role of the patented novel Posthorax support vest in the prevention of sternal complications and the improvement of anatomical healing in patients at high risk for mechanical sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery by mean of median sternotomy.

A prospective, randomized, study was performed and 310 patients with predisposing factors for sternal dehiscence after sternotomy for cardiac surgery were included. The patients were divided into two groups: patients who received the Posthorax support vest after surgery, and patients who did not. Primary variables assessed included the incidence of mechanical sternal complications, the quality of sternal healing, the rate of re-operation, the duration of hospitalization, rate and duration of hospital, re-admission for sternal complications.

Secondary variables assessed were the post-operative pain, the number of requests for supplemental analgesia and the quality of life measured by means of the EQ-5D format.

The Patients using the vest demonstrated a lower incidence of mechanical sternal complications, a better anatomical sternum healing, lower hospital stay, no re-operations for sternal dehiscence before discharge and lower re-admissions for mechanical sternal complication.

In addition, patients using a vest reported a better quality of life with better freedom from limitations in mobility, self-care, and pain.

Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27995554/