Readmission to the Intensive Care Unit Following Cardiac Surgery: A Derived and Validated Risk Prediction Model in 4,869 Patients.

Objective: To derive and validate a clinical risk index that can predict readmission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac surgery.

Design: Retrospective nonrandomized study to determine the perioperative variables associated with risk of readmission to the ICU after cardiac surgery.

Setting: The study was carried out in a single university hospital.

Perioperative kinetics of endocan in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Introduction: Endothelial Specific Molecule-1 or endocan is a novel biomarker associated with the development of acute lung injury (ALI) in response to a systemic inflammatory state such as trauma. Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of ALI is a devastating complication that can occur following cardiac surgery due to risk factors such as the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during surgery. In this study we examine the kinetics of endocan in the perioperative period in cardiac surgical patients.

Long-Term Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To determine the effect of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with cardiac surgery on long-term mortality.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 observational studies extracted from the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases.

Setting: Hospitals undertaking cardiac surgery.

Goal-directed therapy after cardiac surgery and the incidence of acute kidney injury.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of goal-directed therapy (GDT), after cardiac surgery, on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Design: This is a prospective observational study designed to achieve and maintain maximum stroke volume for 8 hours, in patients after cardiac surgery.

Setting: This is a single-center study in a 15-bedded cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU).