Risk Factors for Very Long ICU Stay after Cardiac Surgery and Effects on the Quality of Life

Risk factors for long stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the effect on the quality of life following cardiac surgery are of interest as the recourses for patient recuperation increase. The aim of the study was to assess risk factors inducing very long stay in a ICU after cardiac surgery and the quality of life a year later and more. This is a three years prospective and retrospective study at a university hospital ICU with 17 beds. Eighty out of 3619 patients undergoing cardiac surgery under extracorporal circulation and necessitating more than nine days ICU, are included in the study group. Patients with ICU stay more than 14 days out of same group - very long stay - are subject to additional risk factors study. Eighty-three of the operated patients with up to three days ICU stay represent the control group. Generic NHP questionnaire is used [1]. Multifactorial analysis determines as risk factor dopamine infusion >13 days (P<0.001) (ODD=167.5). Patients who experienced sepsis have affected physical ability (P=0.014), those with low cardiac output syndrome, social isolation (P=0.023) and affected physical ability (P=0.011) and emotional reaction (P=0.001) Very long stay in ICU following cardiac surgery is caused by persistent heart failure complicated by respiratory and renal one, as well as need of massive blood transfusion. Patients with long ICU stay and surviving sepsis and/or LCOS experience long term effects on the quality of life.