Experiences With Automated Surgical Drainage in Cardiac Surgery

The Thoraguard System is intended for use for drainage of blood, fluids, and gases following cardiac and thoracic surgery. The system consists of an electronic control module, drainage kit (fluid collection canister and drainage line), and chest tube kit with novel chest tube. The system continuously monitors chest tube and drainage line patency, automatically clears the chest tube and drainage line from build-up, and provides digital readings of fluid output trends. Additionally, the system has patient safety alarms to notify clinical staff of an unexpected event associated with post-operative drainage. These functions offer significant improvements over current standard of care. Reliable post-operative drainage, reduced workload, and decreased variability in chest tube maintenance procedures have the potential to increase patient safety, reduce complications, and improve patient experience.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult (age ≥ 18)
• Patient undergoing non-emergent cardiac surgery
• Anticipated requirement for mediastinal chest tube drainage

Exclusion criteria

• Emergency surgery
• Re-do surgery
• Prior cardiac surgery
• Congenital cardiac disease or deformation
• Transplant surgery
• Ventricular Assist Device Surgery
• Suspected pulmonary air leak
• Atrial fibrillation
• In the opinion of the investigator the patient is unsuitable for the study for any other legitimate reason including incarceration, pre-existing medical or psychiatric condition, or interfering medications
• Known previous or concurrent enrollment in a clinical trial that, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the objectives of this clinical trial
• Pregnancy