Mild renal failure is associated with adverse outcome after cardiac valve surgery

The present study was performed to ascertain whether the presence of mild r enal failure (defined as a serum creatinine concentration of 1.5 to 3.0 mg/ dL) is an independent risk factor. for adverse outcome after cardiac valve surgery. An extensive set of preoperative and postoperative data was collec ted in 834 prospectively evaluated patients undergoing cardiac valve surger y at 14 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Univariate and multivariable anal yses were performed to determine whether an independent association of mild renal dysfunction with adverse outcomes was present. Patients with mild re nal failure had significantly greater do-day mortality rates (P = 0.001; 16 % versus 6%) and frequency of postoperative bleeding (P = 0.023; 16% versus 8%), respiratory complications (P = 0.02, 29% versus 16%), and cardiac com plications (P = 0.002; 18% versus 7%) than patients with normal renal funct ion (serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL) when controlling for multiple other varia bles. The presence of a serum creatinine concentration of 1.5 to 3.0 mg/dL is significantly and independently associated with adverse outcomes after c ardiac valve surgery. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.