To assess whether targeted intraoperative hygiene measures could reduce surgical site contamination with Cutibacterium acnes in male patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Approach:
Study Design: A multicenter, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial conducted at a university hospital and a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Munich, Germany, from October 28, 2024, to March 3, 2025.
Key Findings:
Cutibacterium acnes is now recognized as a relevant pathogen in prosthetic valve endocarditis.
The prevalence of C acnes in PVE cases is estimated to be between 3.8% and 8.0%.
Current disinfection protocols may not effectively eliminate C acnes from deep within hair follicles.
Interpretation:
The study aims to determine the effectiveness of enhanced intraoperative hygiene measures in reducing C acnes contamination during cardiac surgery.
Limitations:
The study was limited to male patients, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
The trial's duration and sample size may limit the statistical power to detect differences.
Conclusion:
The study investigates the effectiveness of enhanced hygiene practices in reducing C acnes contamination during cardiac surgery.
by Isabell Moter, Sören Schubert, Ana Goncalves, Shekhar Saha, Kurosh Sarbandi, Judith Kikhney, Annette Moter, Edgar Eszlari, Christian Hagl, Walter Eichinger
The procedure was performed under a HOPE Act research protocol at an NYU Langone Health center the institution said is among the limited number of US transplant centers equipped and approved to perform HOPE lung transplants.
