Open heart surgery

  • Prosthetic valve
  • Coronary artery bypass
  • Other open heart surgery

Common Pathogens

S. aureus
Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS)
Corynebacterium spp
Enterobacteriaceae


Regimen(s) of Choice
See General Principles and Pre-Op Antibiotic Administration and Intraoperative Antibiotic Administration
Cefazolin 2g IV x 1 pre-op dose
If MRSA colonization/past infection, add:
Vancomycin 15mg/kg IV x 1 pre-op dose

Alternative Regimens if allergy to cefazolin, or severe non-IgE-mediated reaction to any β-lactam (interstitial nephritis, hepatitis, hemolytic anemia, serum sickness, severe cutaneous reactions [e.g. SJS, TEN, DRESS])
Vancomycin 15mg/kg IV x 1 pre-op dose
If patient hospitalized ≥ 3 days prior to surgery, or saphenous vein procedure, add:    
Gentamicin 5mg/kg IV x 1 pre-op dose