Predictors and outcomes of postoperative respiratory failure after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: Postoperative respiratory failure after cardiac surgery (CS-PRF) is a devastating complication and its incidence and predictors vary depending on how it is defined and the patient population. AIMS: This study was conducted to determine the incidence, predictors and outcomes of CS-PRF defined as prolonged mechanical ventilation >48 hours and reintubation. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 1257 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between June 2011 and December 2018. The research questions were addressed through bivariate inferential, descriptive and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall incidence of CS-PRF was 15.9% and significant regression predictors included diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.77, P = .001), preoperative renal replacement therapy (OR = 2.07, P = .033), need for intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.35, P = .000), combined coronary bypass/valvular surgery (OR = 2.61, P = .001) and intra-aortic balloon pump (OR = 3.60, P = .000). CS-PRF patients had increased postoperative blood transfusions (69.5% vs 27.9%, P = .000), reoperation for bleeding (9.0 vs 0.4%, P = .000), pleural effusion (13.5% vs 4.1%, P = .000), pneumonia (33.5% vs 1.6%, P = .000), acute kidney injury (70.9% vs 39.9%, P = .000), atrial fibrillation (42.5% vs 26.3%, P = .000), coma/encephalopathy (21.5% vs 3.3%, P = .000) and cerebrovascular accident (6.0% vs 1.3%, P = .000). They also had longer intensive care (262.1 vs 97.4 hours, P = .000) and hospital lengths of stay (17 vs 8 days, P = .000), and increased in-hospital mortality (17.5% vs 0.4%, P = .000). Survivors of CS-PRF were less likely to be discharged home (38.0% vs 84.4%, P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of predictors for CS-PRF may help identify patients who are at risk for this complication and who may benefit from preventive measures to promote early extubation and to avert reintubation.