Intensive Care Unit Requirement Research Articles

Hospital volume and perioperative outcomes for radical cystectomy: a population study.

To evaluate the association between hospital volume and perioperative outcomes of radical cystectomy (RC) using state population data for a contemporary Australian cohort. Patients undergoing RC for urothelial malignancy in the state of Victoria, Australia between July 2003 and June 2014 were identified using the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED). Hospitals were divided into tertiles according to their caseload per year. Hospitals performing <4RCs/year were defined as low-volume hospitals (LVH), 4-10RCs/year as medium-volume hospitals (MVH), and >10RCs/year as high-volume hospitals (HVH). Perioperative outcomes derived included: in-hospital mortality (IHM), prolonged length of stay (LOS; >14days), prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) admission (>24h), and requirement for blood transfusion. The relationship between hospital volume and perioperative outcomes was assessed using logistic regression. During the 11-year study period, 803 patients underwent RC for bladder cancer. The overall IHM rate was 2.2% (LVH 3.7%, MVH 2.5%, HVH 0.9%). Other outcomes observed were prolonged LOS (45%), prolonged ICU admission (31%) and requirement for blood transfusion (56%). On multivariate analysis, LVH was found to be associated with increased IHM (odds ratio [OR] 5.74, P = 0.04) and prolonged ICU admission (OR 11.58, P < 0.001) when compared to HVH. There was a lower rate of prolonged LOS for LVH (OR 0.60, P = 0.01). No significant relationship was identified for LVH and blood transfusion. Perioperative outcomes in Victoria are comparable to international standards. Our results add further population study evidence to the volume-outcome relationship in RC. There was a significant association between LVH and both IHM and prolonged ICU admission. This subgroup of patients would appear to benefit from transfer of care to a HVH. The role of centralisation of RC in Australia should be further considered.

Effects of aspiration pneumonia on the intensive care requirements and in-hospital mortality of hospitalised patients with acute cerebrovascular disease.

IntroductionIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the development of aspiration pneumonia (AP) on the intensive care unit (ICU) requirements and in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalised in the neurology ward due to an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA).Material and methodsFive hundred and three patients hospitalised in the neurology ward following an acute CVA were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into two groups: those with AP (group 1) and those without AP (group 2). Demographic characteristics and physical and radiological findings, including the localisation, lateralisation and aetiology of the infarction, in addition to ICU requirements and mortality, were evaluated.ResultsAspiration pneumonia was detected in 80 (15.9%) patients during the in-hospital stay. Transfer to the ICU for any reason was required in 37.5% of the patients in group 1 and 4.7% of those in group 2 (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality occurred in 7.5% and 1.4% of the patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p = 0.006). The incidence of AP was highest in patients with an infarction of the medial cerebral artery (MCA) (p < 0.001). The AP was associated with older age (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.007), echocardiography findings (p = 0.032) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the requirement rate for transfer to the ICU and the mortality rate appear to be significantly higher in patients with a diagnosis of AP. Precautions should be taken, starting from the first day of hospitalisation, to decrease the incidence of AP in patients with acute CVA, focusing especially on older patients and those with a severe mRS score.

Lactate and combined parameters for triaging sepsis patients into intensive care facilities

PurposeTo find predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) requirement within the first 48 hours in newly diagnosed sepsis patients presenting at the emergency department. Materials and methodsAnalysis of a prospective observational cohort was performed. We recruited new sepsis patients at the emergency department, and collected baseline characteristics and parameters. Variables were compared between patients: those that required ICU within 48 hours and those that did not. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors. ResultsOut of 719 patients enrolled, 275 were confirmed to have sepsis. There were 107 patients (39%) that required ICU admission within 48 hours. Independent predictors for ICU requirement were: lower body temperature (P = .019), initial lactate (P = .02), 2-hour lactate clearance (P = .035), and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score without cardiovascular component (SOFA no CVS) (P < .001). The optimal cutoff values for the two strongest predictors were: SOFA no CVS ≥5 (adjusted OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.9-14.7) and initial lactate ≥1.9 mmol/L (adjusted OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.2-8.9). We also proposed a combined “LACTIC score” with higher predictive ability. ConclusionsWe suggested a way to predict ICU requirement in sepsis patients and proposed a combined score that might be better than individual parameters. Further validation should be performed before using them clinically.

Preoperative intra-aortic counterpulsation in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials†.

In contrast to the results of previous studies, recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) failed to show a benefit of prophylactic aortic counterpulsation in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The present analysis aims to redefine the effects of this treatment modality in the light of this new evidence. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for full-text articles of RCTs in English or German. Assessments for eligibility, relevance, study validity and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently using prespecified criteria. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. A total of nine eligible RCTs with 1171 patients were identified: 577 patients were treated preoperatively with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and 594 patients served as controls. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for hospital mortality (22 hospital deaths in the intervention arm, 54 in the control group) was 0.381 (95% CI 0.230-0.629; P < 0.001). The pooled analyses of five RCTs including only patients undergoing isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n[IABP] = 348, n[control] = 347) also showed a statistically significant improvement in mortality for preoperative IABP implantation (fixed-effects model: OR 0.267, 95% CI 0.129-0.552, P < 0.001). The pooled OR for hospital mortality from two randomized off-pump trials was 0.556 (fixed-effects model, 95% CI 0.207-1.493, P = 0.226). Preoperative aortic counterpulsation was associated with a significant reduction in low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in the total population (fixed-effects model: OR 0.330, 95% CI 0.214-0.508, P < 0.001) as well as in the subgroup of CAGB patients (fixed-effects model: OR 0.113, 95% CI 0.056-0.226, P < 0.001), whereas there was no benefit in the off-pump population (fixed-effects model: OR 0.555, 95% CI 0.209-1.474, P = 0.238). Preoperative IABP implantation was associated with a reduction of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in all investigated populations with a greater effect in the total population [fixed-effects model: standard mean difference (SMD) -0.931 ± 0.198, P < 0.001] as well as in the subgroup of CAGB patients (fixed-effects model: SMD -1.240 ± 0.156, P < 0.001), compared with the off-pump group (fixed-effects model: SMD -0.723 ± 0.128, P < 0.001). Despite contradictory results from recent trials, the present study confirms the findings of previous meta-analyses that prophylactic aortic counterpulsation reduces hospital mortality, incidence of LCOS and ICU requirement in high-risk patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. However, owing to small sample sizes and the lack of a clear-cut definition of high-risk patients, an adequately powered, prospective RCT is necessary to find a definite answer to the question, if certain groups of patients undergoing cardiac surgery benefit from a prophylactic IABP insertion.

Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Stay After Pediatric Supraglottoplasty.

Supraglottoplasty is a common procedure performed without evidence-based postoperative management plans. Patients are routinely admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) postoperatively, but this may not be necessary in all cases. To determine (1) whether routine admission to the ICU after supraglottoplasty is warranted in all patients who undergo this procedure and (2) which factors predict requirement for ICU-level care. Retrospective case series and analysis of immediate postoperative outcomes of all children aged 1 month to 18 years who underwent supraglottoplasty at 1 tertiary-care children's hospital from January 1, 2008, through January 31, 2014. Exclusion criteria included preoperative admission to the ICU, preoperative need for positive-pressure ventilation, history of major airway reconstruction, or any concomitant other major procedure. Supraglottoplasty. Need for ICU-level care as defined by need for intubation, positive-pressure ventilation, multiple doses of racemic epinephrine, or oxygen via nasal cannula at greater than 4 L/min within the first 24 hours. Of 223 patients identified, 25 (11.2%) met our criteria for ICU-level care. Nine patients required intubation. Twenty of the 25 patients met ICU criteria within 4 hours of surgery. Univariate analysis was performed on 38 risk factors. Risk factors for ICU requirement that remained statistically significant on multivariable analysis (P < .05) included surgical duration longer than 30 minutes (odds ratio [OR], 4.48 [95% CI, 1.51-13.19]; P = .007), nonwhite race (OR, 4.42 [95% CI, 1.54-12.66]; P = .006), and a preoperative diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.09-0.36]; P < .001). Our study suggests that most children undergoing supraglottoplasty do not require ICU-level care postoperatively. Those who require ICU-level care are likely to be identified within the first 4 hours after surgery. Consideration for routine ICU admission should be given to those with longer surgical duration and those of nonwhite race.

A pilot single-institution predictive model to guide rib fracture management in elderly patients.

Rib fractures (RFx) remain the most prevalent injury in an elderly population that will increase from 40 to 81 million for the next 30 years. We sought to create an accurate cost-effective algorithm to triage elderly patients with RFx that accounted for both frailty and trauma burden. Retrospective analysis evaluated 400 patients older than 55 years with RFx admitted to a level 1 trauma center from 2007 to 2012. Comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, tobacco use, obesity, and nutrition and functional status. Trauma burden included RFx, tube thoracostomy, pulmonary contusions, and spine and extremity fractures. Patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores lower than 13, thoracoabdominal surgery, or deaths from other causes were excluded. Comparative analysis used bivariate and logistic regression. Variables contributing to intubation (INT) and pneumonia (PNA) were then used to create a scoring system to predict the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Six variables increased the risk for INT or PNA: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low albumin, assisted status, tube thoracostomy, Injury Severity Score, and RFx (p < 0.05). These six variables and congestive heart failure (odds ratio, 1.9; p = 0.06) were used to create a predictive model with the following scores assigned respectively: 1.4, 1.1, 1, 0.9, 0.1(n), 0.1(n), and 0.6. A score lower than 3.7 had a sensitivity and specificity of 78.5% and 78.9%. The negative predictive value was 94.5% for INT or PNA, suggesting a low risk for ICU requirement. Ninety-two ICU admissions had a score lower than 3.7. Forty had no other indication for ICU admission aside from RFx. These patients had an average ICU length of stay of 1.7 days, resulting in an increased cost of $2,200 per patient. A scoring system combining frailty and trauma burden may provide more accurate and cost-effective triage of the elderly trauma patient with RFx. Further prospective studies are required to verify our scoring system. Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III.

The Impact of Obesity on Perioperative Resource Utilization after Elective Spine Surgery for Degenerative Disease.

Study Design Retrospective case series. Objective To determine the effect of obesity on the resource utilization and cost in 3270 consecutive patients undergoing elective noninstrumented decompressive surgeries for degenerative spine disease at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 2005 and 2012. Methods Groups were assessed for baseline differences (age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] classification, procedure type, and number of operative levels). Outcome variables included the transfusion requirements during surgery, the total anesthesia and surgical times, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, standardized costs, as well as the ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS). Regression analysis was used to evaluate for strength of association between obesity and outcome variables. Results Baseline differences between the groups (nonobese: n = 1,853; obese: n = 1,417) were found with respect to age, ASA class, gender, procedure type, and number of operative levels. After correcting for differences, we found significant associations between obesity and surgical (p < 0.0001) and anesthesia times (p < 0.0001) and hospital LOS (p < 0.0001). Additionally, ICU admission rates (p = 0.02) and requirement for postoperative ventilation (p = 0.048) were significantly higher in obese patients. Finally, mean difference in total cost ($1,632, p < 0.0001) was significantly higher for the obese cohort. Conclusion Obesity is associated with increased resource utilization and cost in patients undergoing a noninstrumented decompressive surgery for degenerative spine disease.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators and Mortality in Surgical Patients

Patient safety indicators (PSI), developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, use administrative billing data to measure and compare patient safety events at medical centers. We retrospectively examined whether PSIs accurately reflect patients' risk of mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit (ICU) requirements at an academic medical center. Surgical patient records with PSIs were reviewed between October 2011 and September 2012 at our urban academic medical center. Primary outcomes studied included mortality, hospital length of stay, and ICU requirements. Subset analysis was performed for each PSI and its association with the outcome measures. PSIs were more common among surgical patients who died as compared with those alive at discharge (35.3 vs 2.7 PSIs/100 patients, P < 0.01). Although patients who died with PSIs had shorter hospital courses, they had a significantly greater ICU requirement than those without a PSI (96.0 vs 61.1%, P < 0.01) and patients who were alive at discharge (96.0 vs 48.0%, P < 0.01). The most frequently associated PSIs with mortality were postoperative metabolic derangements (41.7%), postoperative sepsis (38.5%), and pressure ulcers (33.3%). PSIs occur at a higher frequency in surgical patients who die and are associated with increased ICU requirements.

Effect of MicroEEG on Clinical Management and Outcomes of Emergency Department Patients With Altered Mental Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Altered mental status (AMS) is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). A previous study revealed 78% electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities, including nonconvulsive seizure (NCS; 5%), in ED patients with AMS. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of EEG on clinical management and outcomes of ED patients with AMS. This was a randomized controlled trial at two urban teaching hospitals. Adult patients (≥18 years old) with AMS were included. Excluded patients had immediately correctable AMS (e.g., hypoglycemia) or were admitted before enrollment. Patients were randomized to routine care (control) or routine care plus EEG (intervention). Research assistants used a scalp electrode set with a miniature, wireless EEG device (microEEG) to record standard 30-minute EEGs at presentation, and results were reported to the ED attending physician by an off-site epileptologist within 30 minutes. Primary outcomes included changes in ED management (differential diagnosis, diagnostic work-up, and treatment plan from enrollment to disposition) as determined by surveying the treating physicians. Secondary outcomes were length of ED and hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, and in-hospital mortality. A total of 149 patients were enrolled (76 control and 73 intervention). Patients in the two groups were comparable at baseline. EEG in the intervention group revealed abnormal findings in 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 85% to 97%), including NCS in 5% (95% CI = 2% to 13%). Using microEEG was associated with change in diagnostic work-up in 49% (95% CI = 38% to 60%) of cases and therapeutic plan in 42% (95% CI = 31% to 53%) of cases immediately after the release of EEG results. Changes in probabilities of differential diagnoses and the secondary outcomes were not statistically significant between the groups. An EEG can be obtained in the ED with minimal resources and can affect clinical management of AMS patients.

A single imaging modality in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of pulmonary embolism.

Introduction. This study aimed to investigate the currency of computerized tomography pulmonary angiography-based parameters as pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI), as well as right ventricular diameters for pulmonary embolism (PE) risk evaluation and prediction of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) requirement. Materials and Methods. The study retrospectively enrolled 203 patients hospitalized with acute PE. PAOI was calculated according to Qanadli score. Results. Forty-three patients (23.9%) were hospitalized in the ICU. Nineteen patients (10.6%) died during the 30-day follow-up period. The optimal cutoff value of PAOI for PE 30th day mortality and ICU requirement were found as 36.5% in ROC curve analysis. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure had a significant positive correlation with right/left ventricular diameter ratio (r = 0.531, P < 0.001), PAOI (r = 0.296, P < 0.001), and pulmonary artery diameter (r = 0.659, P < 0.001). The patients with PAOI values higher than 36.5% have a 5.7-times increased risk of death. Conclusion. PAOI is a fast and promising parameter for risk assessment in patients with acute PE. With greater education of clinicians in this radiological scoring, a rapid assessment for diagnosis, clinical risk evaluation, and prognosis may be possible in emergency services without the need for echocardiography.

Yoğun Bakım Ünitesinde Obstetrik Olgular

Objective: Aim of this study is to evaluate retrospectively obstetric cases to determine the causes and outcomes of intensive care unit. Methods: Total 6000 patients referred to ICU from 2005 to 2010 21 patients were referred to ICU because of obstetric diseases. 11 patients (52%) were delivered to university hospital from other hospital, 10 patient (48%) were also transferred to ICU from obstetric and gynecologic department. 62% were pregnant, 38% postpartum period were received to ICU because of obstetrics diseases. Mean age of 21 patients is 34.7±7.9 years. Mean age of survivors is 34.9±8, Mean age of non-survivors 32.0. ICU stay is 2.3±2.5 days. There were differences ICU stay between survivors and non-survivors (p<0.05). While ICU stay of survivors is 2.1±2.4 days, ICU stay of non-survivors is 6 days. Most common reasons about obstetric of ICU admittance were postpartum hemorrhage (57%) and hypertension related to eclampsia/preeclampsia (10%). One of patients died and mortality rate was found as 5%. Results: In this study; 21 obstetric patients referred to ICU (intensive care unit) from 2005 to 2010 in pregnancy and/or postpartum period, were evaluated by observing demographic data, admittance reasons, interventions in ICU and clinical outcomes. Conclusion: ICU requirement for obstetric cases was seen mostly because of obstetric hemorrhage and uncontrolled hypertension. Strategies improved for solving these problems and regular antenatal care would significantly decrease major maternal morbidity and

Effect of Surgical Volume on Morbidity and Mortality of Abdominal Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer

To estimate the effects of surgeon and hospital volume on perioperative morbidity and mortality in women who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer between 2003 and 2007 and who recorded in an inpatient, acute-care database were examined. Procedure-associated intraoperative, perioperative, and postoperative medical complications, as well as hospital readmission, length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) use, and mortality were examined. Surgeons and hospitals were stratified into volume-based tertiles and outcomes analyzed using multivariable, generalized estimating equations. A total of 6,015 women were identified. After adjustment for case-mix variables and hospital volume, perioperative surgical complications (15.2% compared with 11.7%) (odds ratio [OR] 0.57; 95 confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.85), medical complications (31.4% compared with 22.0%) (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.37-0.88), and ICU utilization (8.9% compared with 3.5%) (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.28-0.80) were lower in patients treated by high-volume surgeons. Surgeon volume had no independent effect on the rates of operative injury (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.32-2.08), transfusion (OR 2.33; 95% CI 0.93-5.36), length of stay (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.25-1.41), or readmission (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.51-2.14). Whereas patients treated at high-volume hospitals were less likely to require ICU care (9.3% compared with 4.3%) (OR 0.44; 95% CI 025-0.77), hospital volume had no independent effect on any of the other primary outcomes of interest (P>.05 for all). Perioperative surgical complications, medical complications, and ICU requirements are lower in patients treated by high-volume surgeons. Hospital volume had little independent effect on outcomes.

Assessing the risk of clopidogrel-related bleeding complications in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy

To date, no studies have investigated how the preoperative management of clopidogrel, an irreversible antiplatelet agent, influences the outcome following minor operative procedures. The purpose of this study is to determine if clopidogrel use within 7 days of inguinal herniorrhaphy increases the postoperative risk for bleeding-related morbidity or mortality. A retrospective chart review was performed of 46 patients on clopidogrel who underwent inguinal herniorrhaphy from 2004 to 2008. Patients were grouped based on the last administered dose of clopidogrel; <7 days (A) and ≥ 7 days (B). Of the 46 patients, 20 were in group A and 26 were in group B. No significant differences in operative blood loss, perioperative transfusion requirement, postoperative bleeding complications, intensive care unit (ICU) requirements, mortality, or 30-day readmission/reoperation rates were demonstrated between patients in groups A and B. Patients in group A had a significantly increased postoperative admission rate (65% vs. 15%, P = 0.0002) and increased mean hospital stay (1.0 vs. 0.15 days, P = 0.003). However, urinary retention, pain management, and the monitoring of other conditions accounted for over 80% of these admissions. One patient in group A (5%) developed a postoperative hematoma, which is consistent with the complication rate seen in the general population after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Overall, no difference in admission secondary to hematoma or postoperative bleeding was demonstrated. Clopidogrel use within 7 days of inguinal herniorrhaphy did not increase the risk for perioperative bleeding complications. No mortalities, readmissions, or ICU requirements occurred, regardless of the timing of clopidogrel cessation. The increased risk for hospital admission and length of stay seen in group A is likely to be attributable to nonbleeding-related patient factors rather than clopidogrel use. Thus, it may not be necessary to interrupt clopidogrel therapy prior to inguinal herniorrhaphy in high-risk patients.

The need for extended intensive care after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is standard for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the pancreatic head, neck, and uncinate process, but it is associated with a relatively high morbidity. This study aimed to identify risk factors for extended postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission and assess the impact of ICU treatment on patient survival. Between October 2001 and June 2008, patients that underwent PD for PDAC in the pancreatic head were identified from a prospective database. Patients admitted to the ICU after an initial recovery period were compared to those not admitted regarding comorbidities, intraoperative parameters, resection size, and tumor biology. Five hundred and forty patients were included. Of these, 17.8% required extended postoperative ICU admission (immediate, 9.3%; delayed, 7.6%). Immediate ICU admission was most frequently required for increased intraoperative blood loss and fluid management. Delayed ICU treatment was most frequently required for hemorrhage, respiratory insufficiency, or pancreatic fistula. Morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 54.2% and 2.6%, respectively. ICU admission correlated with significantly lower survival rates compared to no ICU admission (P = 0.0155). Multivariate risk factors for ICU admission included a history of diabetes mellitus and heart failure (NYHA I-III), an intraoperative blood transfusion, and a longer operating time. The need for extended ICU admission is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and reduced long-term outcome. The highest mortality was observed after delayed ICU admission. Preoperative diabetes, heart failure and long operations, and intraoperative blood transfusions substantially increased the risk for ICU requirement.

Adult congenital heart disease: intensive care management and outcome prediction

Improved patient survival and increasingly complex surgery have expanded the requirement for specialist care for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Despite the recent publications of management guidelines for ACHD, data concerning optimal patterns of care in the peri-operative/critical care period of this challenging population are sparse. The aims of the current study were to therefore to determine the pattern of intensive care unit (ICU) management, resource utilisation and predictors of mortality in critically ill ACHD patients. Data were collected prospectively for patients with ACHD stratified for complexity of disease admitted to the ICU of a tertiary cardiothoracic centre (1997-2002). Multivariate analysis of pre-operative indices as predictors of mortality was performed. Of 342 ACHD admissions (total mortality 4.4%, simple 0%, moderate/complex 10.6%), the requirement for specialist investigations and interventions was high, reflected in ICU admission costs per patient (simple $5391+/-130, moderate $13218+/-261, complex $30074+/-689). Standard severity of illness scoring systems did not accurately predict mortality; however, abnormal pre-operative thyroid function (p=0.0048), creatinine (p=0.0032) and bilirubin (p=0.0021) were highly predictive of mortality. Peri-operative mortality in patients with ACHD is low overall but varies with disease complexity. Such patients have a high requirement for specialist ICU investigation/intervention. Although standard severity of illness scoring is unhelpful, simple pre-operative parameters may predict peri-operative mortality. These findings reflect the requirement for specialist care, and have implications for planning service provision, training and operative consent in ACHD patients.