Table 3

 Morbidity and in-hospital deaths

Variablen (%) or mean (SD)
*One postoperative stroke was identified in one patient undergoing concomitant carotid endarterectomy and the other one in a patient undergoing associated mitral valve surgery.
THC, thoracocentesis.
Intensive care unit stay (days)1.3 (0.8)
Mechanical ventilation (h)6.5 (2.7)
Prolonged ventilation (>48 h)12 (2.2%)
New intra-aortic balloon pump11 (2%)
New myocardial infarction12 (2.2%)
Inotropic use (dopamine >6 μg/kg/min)38 (6.9%)
Atrial fibrillation55 (10%)
Other arrhythmias18 (3.3%)
Bleeding >1000 ml44 (8.8%)
Renal dysfunction (creatinine >177 μmol/l)32 (5.8%)
Postoperative ultrafiltration/haemodialysis10 (1.8%)
Unilateral pulmonary embolism (chest x ray)38 (7%)
Bilateral pulmonary embolism (chest x ray)26 (4.7%)
Postoperative THC44 (8%)
Pneumothorax30 (5.6%)
Diaphragm impairment2 (0.4%)
Bronchopneumonia17 (3.1%)
Gastrointestinal complications12 (2.2%)
Transient neurological complications12 (2.2%)
Stroke3 (0.44%)*
Multiorgan failure3 (0. 4%)
Sepsis6 (1.1%)
Skin layer dehiscence9 (1.6%)
Deep sternal wound infection6 (1.1%)
In-hospital mortality19 (3.4%)
Causes of in-hospital death
    Acute myocardial infarction4
    Aortic dissection1
    Low cardiac output4
    Multiorgan failure1
    Sepsis1
    Permanent stroke1
    Coagulopathy/bleeding1