title: Tabula viva chirurgic: a living surgical document.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to present the results of a private cardiac surgical practice. This information could also serve as a hermeneutical text for new wisdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  A personal database of 1 750 consecutive patients who had had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was statistically analysed. Mortality and major morbidity figures were compared with large registries. Risk factors for postoperative death were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a period of 12 years, 1 344 (76.8%) males and 406 (23.2%) females were operated on. The observed mortality rate was 3.03% and the expected mortality rate (EuroSCORE) was 3.87%. After stepwise logistic regression, independent risk factors for death were urgency (intra-aortic balloon pump), renal impairment (chronic kidney disease, stage III), re-operation and an additional procedure. Apart from the 53 deaths, another 91 patients had major complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mortality and morbidity rates compared favourably with other international registries. Mortality was related to co-morbidities. This outcome contributes to a hermeneutical understanding focusing on new spiritual wisdom and meaning for the surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Bloemfontein Mediclinic; Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Email: mjswart@ktc.bfnmcc.co.za.
authors.forename: Marius J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joubert
authors.affiliation: Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jan-Albert
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.affiliation: Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gert J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: van Zyl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011331:Private Practice; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome