Mortality and length of stay (LOS) in the postoperative unit of cardiac surgery (POU) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing myocardial revascularization (MR) surgery

Background

The impact of mortality and LOS in the POU of patients with MI undergoing MR surgery remains controversial.

Objectives

To assess the mortality and LOS in the POU of patients undergoing MR, who had MI on admission or more than 28 days before admission.

Case series and methods

A classical cohort of patients undergoing MR admitted to the POU from July 2000 to March 2003. The mean age was 66 years (38–88 years). The median LOS in the POU was 3 (0–87). Ninety-five patients were divided into two groups: MI on admission (group A, 47 patients), and MI more than 28 days before admission (group B, 48 patients). The MR was classified as emergency and nonemergency. Forty-six variables previously defined in the major prognostic indices of the literature were compared. The statistical analysis comprised univariate analysis, chi-square, Fisher exact, Mann–Whitney, and Pearson tests.

Results

Groups A and B showed no difference with regard to inhospital mortality (14.6% group A vs 9% group B, P = not significant). Group A patients had a greater incidence of emergency MR (46.8%) than did group B patients (6.6%) (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

In this small case series no correlation between MI on admission and mortality or length of stay in the POU was observed, although a greater incidence of emergency MR was found in group A.