Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Older patients have a higher probability of developing major complications during the perioperative period than other adult patients. Perioperative mortality depends on not only on a patient condition but also on the quality of perioperative care provided. We tested the hypothesis that the perioperative mortality rate among older patients has decreased over time and is related to a country's Human Development Index (HDI) status. ⋯ The perioperative mortality rates in older patients have declined over the past 60 years in high-DHI countries, highlighting that perioperative safety in this population is increasing in these countries. Since data prior to 1990 were lacking in low-HDI countries, the evolution of their mortality rates could not be analysed. The perioperative mortality rate was similar in low- and high-HDI countries in the post-1990 period, but the low number of patients in the low-HDI countries does not allow a definitive conclusion.
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Observational Study
Impact of nosocomial infections on patient mortality following cardiac surgery.
To determine the rate of nosocomial infection among patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors and the impact of these infections on patient mortality. ⋯ Nosocomial infections after cardiac surgery constitute the main independent risk factor for mortality after the first week of surgery. These data suggest that its prevention following cardiac surgery must be prioritised to improve patient outcomes.