Setting: Medicare patients in four communities.
Synopsis: During a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 669 strokes occurred in 5,639 study participants. Hospitalization for infection within 14 days was associated with increased risk of stroke (OR 8.0, 95% CI, 1.6-77.3), and the risk remained elevated for hospitalizations within 90 days (OR 3.4, 95% CI, 1.8-6.5). The findings remained significant after adjusting for comorbidities, including age, sex, race, smoking, and diabetes. The number of patients hospitalized for infection before stroke was small—eight within 14 days, and 29 within 90 days.
Bottom line: Infection severe enough to require hospitalization may act as a trigger for acute ischemic stroke.
Citation: Elkind MS, Carty CL, O’Meara ES, et al. Hospitalization for infection and risk of acute ischemic stroke: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Stroke. 2011;42:1851-1856.
Longer Duration of Perioperative Antibiotics May Be Beneficial after Cardiac Surgery
Clinical question: Is antibiotic prophylaxis for 24 or more hours better than shorter duration of treatment after cardiac surgery?
Background: Sternal surgical site infections are a serious complication of cardiac surgery. The optimal duration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is not known, with recommendations ranging from a single dose to 72 hours. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ recommendation for 24 to 72 hours of prophylaxis is not based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Setting: Adult patients undergoing open-heart surgery who received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.
Synopsis: Authors identified 12 trials encompassing 7,893 patients. Compared with prophylaxis of ≥24 hours, prophylaxis of <24 hours was associated with a higher risk of sternal surgical site infections (RR 1.38, 95% CI, 1.13-1.69) and deep infections (RR 1.68, 95% CI, 1.12-2.53). There was no difference in mortality, other infections, or adverse events. Most studies had methodological limitations with a high risk for bias.
Bottom line: Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis of ≥24 hours reduces sternal surgical infections.
Citation: Mertz D, Johnstone J, Loeb M. Does duration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis matter in cardiac surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2011;254:48-54.
Stroke Unit Care Combined with Early Supported Discharge Improves Outcomes
Clinical question: Does early supported discharge (ESD) improve outcomes more than conventional follow-up in stroke patients?
Background: ESD is a mobile team that coordinates follow-up and rehabilitation. Previous studies have shown it to be beneficial in patients with mild to moderate disability at one year, but long-term effects of ESD are not known.
Study design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Single center in Norway.
Synopsis: Stroke-unit patients were recruited and received standard care or ESD after discharge. All 320 patients received standard acute care. The proportion of patients with modified Rankin Score (mRS) of ≤2 was not significantly different in the two groups but identified a trend toward improvement in the intervention group (38% vs. 30%, P=0.106). More patients receiving conventional follow-up died or were institutionalized (P=0.032) but mortality rates at five years were similar (ESD 46% vs. 51%). Secondary outcomes (Scandinavian Stroke Scale, Barthel Index, Frenchay Activity Index, and Mini Mental Status Examination) were not statistically different. Predictors of good outcome in the ESD group included young age, low mRS, and living with others.
This study recruited patients from 1995 to 1997 and followed the patients for five years. Limitations to the applicability include advances in stroke rehabilitation in the last 10 years. The cost of a mobile multidisciplinary team consisting of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse, and part-time physician was not discussed and may limit the availability to many patients.