Background & Objective: Sternal wound infection and dehiscence are feared complications observed in 0.4-5% of cardiac operations. Even nowadays the mortality remains as high as 20-40%. The aim of the current study was to determine the rate of sternal wound infection. Material and Methods: The outcomes of 388 patients undergoing cardiac surgery during a 7 month follow up were analyzed and their risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, cigarette smoking, blood transfusion, renal failure, hypertension, COPD, preoperative ejection fraction, aortic clamping time, and time of cardio pulmonary bypass were evaluated. The data was analyzed by t-test & c2 statistical tests.

 Results: The present study revealed that 3 patients developed wound infection and dehiscence and its incidence was 0.74% (P=0.042). There was not any significant relationship between wound infection and the other risk factors (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Our results indicate that ejection fraction preoperatively is very important in sternal wound infection.