Despite long-term survival benefits, increased risk of sternal complications limits use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafts for myocardial revascularization. After having reviewed retrospectively the postoperative outcomes of nearly 3000 consecutive BITA patients, Dr. Gatti has performed a risk factor analysis for deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). Two models, preoperative and combined, of a new, weighted scoring system based on the results of this analysis were specifically created to predict DSWI risk after BITA grafting. Female gender, obesity, diabetes, poor glycemic control, chronic lung disease, and urgent surgical priority were the predictors of DSWI common to both models. The scoring system outperformed some existing scoring systems for sternal wound infections after coronary surgery. Validation studies have been performed.