To analyse hospital mortality in patients subjected to cardiac surgery in Mexico during the year 2015, and identify the mortality risks factors, and its correlation with days of hospital stay in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. The database of Cardiovascular Intensive Care of the National Institute of Cardiology was examined for this cases and controls study that included only adult patients subjected to cardiac surgery during the year 2015. A total of 571 patients were subjected to a surgical procedure. The predominant indication was single or multiple valve replacement surgery, followed by coronary revascularisation surgery, and correction of adult congenital heart disease. Overall mortality was 9.2, and 8% died in intensive care. The main risk factors for death were preoperative organ failure or pulmonary hypertension, and prolonged time with extracorporeal circulation. The primary cause of death was secondary to cardiogenic shock. The hospital mortality observed in this population was higher for patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, complex aortic disease surgery, and valvular surgery. The mortality of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Mexico differs slightly from that reported in the world literature, primarily because there were more multivalvular surgeries and mixed complex procedures performed.