Continuous versus intermittent vancomycin in children after cardiac surgery with delayed sternal closure

Abstract

Delayed sternal closure (DSC) is a technique used in patients with hemodynamic instability, lung dysfunction, edema or prolonged bleeding after cardiac surgery. This group of patients has significant morbidity and mortality with fluid overload and changes in renal function. Adequate antibiotic coverage is of great importance and vancomycin is used as a part of antibiotic prophylaxis in our department. The objective of our study was to compare the efficacy and efficiency of intermittent and continuous vancomycin in pediatric cardiac patients with DSC.