European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2011
Predictors of long intensive care unit stay following cardiac surgery in children.
Prolonged length of stay in intensive care units after congenital heart disease surgery is associated with poor outcome, places a considerable burden on the financial resources of hospitals, and is an organizational challenge as well. This research discusses the impact of perioperative factors on prolonged stay in intensive care units. ⋯ Some patients with a risk of prolonged hospitalization may be identified preoperatively, the others just after the operation. Optimizing preoperative status and aggressive treatment of complications may have significant influence on the duration of hospitalization in intensive care units. The knowledge of risk factors may facilitate organizational procedures and rational bed management.