Risk of worsening renal function with nesiritide following cardiac surgery.

Purpose: The relationship between the perioperative use of nesiritide and the development of postoperative renal insufficiency in open-heart surgery (OHS) patients is discussed.

Summary: Postoperative renal dysfunction occurs in about 8% of patients who undergo elective coronary bypass surgery. The worsening of renal function is associated with increased length of stay and mortality.