Continuous postoperative pericardial flushing to reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding after elective adult cardiac surgery - a study-level meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Retained blood syndrome contributes to higher morbidity and mortality post cardiac surgery. We investigate the benefits of continuous postoperative pericardial flushing (CPPF) over standard care chest drainage in elective adult cardiac surgery patients.

Methods

Various online databases were screened for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observations studies comparing CPPF to standard care.

Primary outcomes

12-hour and total blood loss, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp (ACC) times; surgical re-intervention for bleeding, mortality, sternal wound infections and pericardial or pleural fluid re-accumulation at discharge.

Secondary outcomes

perioperative blood transfusion, time to extubation and total hospital stay.

Results

SUBMITTER: Jain SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11993965 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature