Comparison of Early-stage Outcomes of Spontaneous Drainage Versus Negative-pressure Drainage Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

During the routine postoperative monitoring of chest tube drainage, patients in the study group will undergo negative pressure drainage; a pressure of approximately -10 mmHg will be applied to the drain site for 48 hours via a hose connected to the hospital's central negative pressure system. Apart from this, all groups will receive standard postoperative care for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft patients, with no other differences in procedures, medications, or treatments between the groups. Negative pressure drainage is already a standard practice in the clinics involved.

Drainage output and early-stage complications (atrial fibrillation, pneumothorax, pleural effusion) will be monitored over the first 48 hours for a total of 400 patients (200 per study group). Subsequently, prior to discharge, patients will undergo echocardiography to assess for pericardial effusion and evaluate the ejection fraction. Finally, patients will be monitored for major complications-such as re-exploration for tamponade or bleeding, ECMO use, wound site revision, or mortality-up to one month post-operation.

No additional clinic visits or appointments will be required for the patients during this process.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• Age range of 18-80
• Elective operations

Exclusion criteria

• Emergency operations
• Patients under 18 and over 80 years of age
• Reoperations
• Patients with significant preoperative pleural or pericardial effusion
• Patients with known coagulopathy