[Usefulness of clinical examination in detecting infectious foci prior to cardiac surgery].

INTRODUCTION

In many institutions patients are evaluated to rule out an infectious focus in the ENT sphere prior to cardiac surgery. In a prospective clinical study we assessed the contribution of history and clinical examination in the detection of ENT infections.

METHODS

From October 1998 to January 2000, 68 patients were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire and an ENT examination. Dental status was evaluated separately by a dentist.

RESULTS

The patient population was divided into two groups: The first group consisted of 23 patients (33.8%) with at least one ENT symptom: in 22 the examination was normal and one patient had viral pharyngitis. 5 patients in this group presented a postoperative infectious complication. The second group comprised 45 patients (66.2%) without a history suggestive of a possible infectious focus: in 44 the examination was normal and one patient presented otitis media with effusion. 2 patients in this group had a postoperative infectious complication.

DISCUSSION

Routine ENT examination is not necessary prior to cardiac surgery. The patient history can be used to select patients for further evaluation.