Participants are being invited to participate in a research study at University Hospitals because they have heart disease and are scheduled for open heart surgery. Currently, UH cardiac surgeons close the sternum (or breastbone) after a sternotomy (procedure that allows a doctor to reach the heart and blood vessels) with either a rigid plate fixation Sternal Plate or a Wire Cerclage. However, the study team would like to further evaluate these two techniques. Any volunteer over the age of 18 who is at an increased risk for developing sternal wound complications may be eligible to participate.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Sternal healing as measured by CT scan
Timeframe: 6 months
Number of sternal wound complications as measured by patient/physician report
Timeframe: 6 months
Total index hospitalization cost
Timeframe: 6 months
Total cost
Timeframe: 6 months