Reducing infection rates after heart surgery with new dressings

Reducing Surgical Site Infection Rates Using an Alternative Sternal Dressing

NA · Stanford University · NCT03346694

This study is testing whether two new types of dressings can lower the risk of infections after heart surgery compared to a standard dressing.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment660 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorStanford University (other)
Locations1 site (Stanford, California)
Trial IDNCT03346694 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two alternative dressings compared to a standard dressing in reducing surgical site infection (SSI) rates among patients undergoing cardiac surgery with a sternotomy incision. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three dressing types: Standard Island Dressing, Prevena Negative Pressure wound dressing, or Mepilex Border Post-Op Ag. The study will also assess the impact of these dressings on hospital readmission rates related to SSI within 30 days post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery involving a sternotomy incision.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing heart transplants or those with complicated postoperative courses will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the rates of surgical site infections in cardiac surgery patients, leading to better patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with alternative dressing methods in reducing infection rates, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants who will undergo cardiac surgery via a sternotomy incision.Inclusion criteria will be patients having surgical valve, CABGs, aortic dissection, myectomy and myotomy, Cox MAZE, Myocardial bridge Un-roofing

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing heart transplants, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), with postoperative courses complicated by tamponade, take-backs, and open chest incisions will also be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Stanford, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Wound of Skin

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.