title: Nutritional considerations in adult cardiothoracic surgical patients.
abstract: The importance of the preoperative nutritional status of cardiothoracic surgical patients in determining outcomes is demonstrated and discussed. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical changes in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery increase the importance of identifying those at risk for postoperative complications resulting from malnutrition. The interrelationships of chronic heart failure, cardiac cachexia, nutritional status, and nutritional support are identified and emphasized. The complexities of myocardial energetics and metabolism are outlined together with the nutrient needs for patients undergoing cardiac, pulmonary, or other intrathoracic operative procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital/Yale Affiliate, 56 Franklin Street, Waterbury, CT 06706, USA. Juan.Sanchez@stmh.org
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Lise L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dudrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin