Morbidity, mortality and economic burden of renal impairment in cardiac intensive care.

Background: Moderate to severe impairment of renal function has emerged as a potent risk factor for adverse short- and long-term outcomes among patients presenting with cardiac disease.

Aims: We sought to define the clinical, late mortality and economic burden of this risk factor among patients presenting to cardiac intensive care.

Methods: A clinical audit of patients presenting to cardiac intensive care was undertaken between July 2002 and June 2003.