Study population and design
From January 2018 to December 2018, 1381 patients (≥18) undergoing
cardiac surgery were transferred to our cardiac surgical ICU. All of
them were eligible for the investigation except for those who died
within 24 hours postoperatively (n=21). All patients received standard
postoperative care complied with published guidelines [4,5].
Antibiotic prophylaxis was a single second generation cephalosporin.
Body temperature was recorded every 6 hours routinely and anytime when
necessary. Haematologic tests and chest radiographs were performend
regularly. Microbiological examinations of the sputum, blood, catheter
tips and excretion of these patients were performed as clinically
indicated to isolate pathogens according to the criteria of Clinical and
Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). One pathogen cultured positively
more times in the same patient within one week was regarded as one.