title: Association between vasopressor dependence and early outcome in patients after cardiac surgery.
abstract: Arterial hypotension with vasopressor dependence is a major problem after cardiac surgery. We evaluated the early postoperative course of 1558 consecutive patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, and compared the outcome of patients with and without vasopressor dependence (defined as the need for > 0.1 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) noradrenaline for > 3 h in the face of normovolaemia). Vasopressor dependence was diagnosed in 424 patients (27%) and was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative renal failure (67 (15.7%) vs 7 (0.6%), respectively; p < 0.0001), a longer duration of ventilation (median IQR [range]) 14 (8-26 [6-39]) h vs 8 (5-11 [4-32]) h; p < 0.0001), a greater need for red cell transfusion (3 (1-5 [0-10]) units vs 1 (0-2 [0-4]) units; p < 0.001) and a longer length of stay in the ICU (4 (2-6 [2-9] days) vs 2 (1-3 [1-6] days; p < 0.001). Vasopressor dependence could be predicted from a combination of factors, including pre-operative ejection fraction < 37%, cardiopulmonary bypass lasting > 94 min, and postoperative interleukin-6 > 837 pg x ml(-1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Germany. Florian.Weis@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kilger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beiras-Fernandez
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nassau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reindl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Briegel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D009638:Norepinephrine