Evaluation of fever and infections in cardiac surgery patients.

Fever following cardiac surgery is common and may be infectious or noninfectious in etiology. In this article, we review the major causes of postoperative fever while highlighting special considerations in cardiac surgery patients. We also outline a structured approach to evaluation and present an overview of diagnostic and management considerations for mediastinitis, postpericardiotomy syndrome, prosthetic valve endocarditis, aortic vascular graft infections, and ventricular assist device infections.