Antibiotic Prophylaxis In Cardiac Surgery, Part II: Antibiotic Choice

A
β-lactam antibiotic is indicated as a single antibiotic of choice for standard cardiac surgical prophylaxis in populations that do not have a high incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. (Level A, Class I (benefit > > >risk))

Based on availability and cost, it is reasonable to use cefazolin (a first-generation agent) as the cephalosporin for standard cardiac surgical prophylaxis in view of the fact that most randomized trials could not discriminate between cephalosporins. (Level B, Class IIa (benefit > > risk))