Racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence and mortality from septic shock and respiratory failure among elective neurosurgery patients

Blacks had a higher incidence of SS and RF. A higher percentage of black patients died from SS-related mortality, followed by Hispanics, than other groups. The attenuation of differences after statistical adjustment suggests the excess mortality may be due to age, site of the procedures, and having neoplastic disease. Our findings support the need for prospective studies to assess specific pre-operative interventions driven by age and co-morbidities that might reduce the risk of complications after neurosurgical procedures.