RESUMO
Aim: to describe the population affected by mediastinitis in a university hospital in Recife-PE. Method: a descriptive, retrospective study of a sample of 26 patients. Result: prevails among males who are hypertensive, diabetic, obese and smokers, with a mean age of 57.54 years, from the metropolitan area. Subjects are hospitalized due to ischemia and have submitted to surgery for myocardial revascularization. A long hospital stay and high mortality was observed. Discussion: the predominance of males, the large proportion of elderly people studied, as well as the high prevalence of chronic diseases, are associated with the emergence of mediastinitis related to economic and social conditions. Conclusion: mediastinitis is highlighted as a serious complication of cardiovascular surgical procedures, mainly myocardial revascularization surgeries culminating in substantial morbidity, high mortality and high hospital costs.