Low-dose prostacyclin preserves renal function in high-risk patients after coronary bypass surgery.

Objective: Renal failure after bypass is still a threatening problem prolonging hospital care and reducing overall survival. The following pilot study was aimed to analyze whether perioperative low-dose prostacyclin infusion is able to preserve renal function in a selected group of patients who according to a poor cardiac function were stratified as high risk for the development of renal failure after bypass.

Design: Prospective randomized study.