OPEN-HEART-SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH END-STAGE RENAL-DISEASE

This case-control study evaluated the mortality and morbidity in patie nts with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent open heart surge ry, as compared with matched control patients. Outcome measures includ ed length of use of ventilators, vasopressor agents, number of blood u nits transfused, chest tube output, and length of stay. Hospital lengt h of stay was longer in patients with renal failure, but overall morbi dity and mortality were not statistically different. Conclusions inclu de that elective open heart surgery can be performed safely in ESRD pa tients using routine perioperative management.