EVALUATION OF THE COMPLICATIONS LEADING TO PROLONGED INTENSIVE CARE UNIT STAY AFTER OPEN HEART SURGERY

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), atrial fibrillation, renal failure and gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery are devastating complications that lead to excess mortality, health resource utilization, and intensive care unit stay. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of major complications that influence intensive care unit stay in patients undergoing open heart surgery. In a retrospective observational study the charts of 475 patients undergoing open heart surgery and being operated on cardiopulmonary bypass CPB, (coronary artery bypass graft, valve replacement, repair of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect) were reviewed between March 2005-February 2007. Postoperative incidence of common complications such as: CVA,gastrointestinal problems, renal failure, and atrial fibrillation were calculated. Then descriptive tests were used for data analysis. The mean age for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was 58±9 years, and the average length of intensive care unit stay was 3.4±0.9 days. The incidence of major complications occurring in intensive care unit for CABG patients wasCVA (1.7%)gastrointestinal complication (0.25%) renal failure (1.7%) atrial fibrillation (20%) and for valve replacement were 4.1%, 0%, 2.2% and 21.1% respectively. Some complications such as stroke after open heart surgery are associated with high short-term morbidity and mortality. Increased complications risks can be predicted by preoperative and postoperative clinical factors. The incidence of major complications in patients after open heart surgery varies widely across studies and patient populations.