Gastrointestinal complications following on-pump cardiac surgery-A propensity matched analysis.

Background: Gastrointestinal complications following on-pump cardiac surgery are orphan but serious risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess incidence, perioperative risk factors, treatment modalities and outcomes.

Material And Methods: A university medical center audit comprised 4883 consecutive patients (median age 69 [interquartile range IQR 60-76] years, 33% female, median logistic EuroScore 5 [IQR 3-11]) undergoing all types of cardiac surgery including surgery on the thoracic aorta; patients undergoing repair of congenital heart disease, implantation of assist devices or cardiac transplantation were excluded.