Volume 69 Numbers 1 & 2 January/March 2002	back to contents

Prediction of Outcome in Cardiac Surgery	68-72
Tuula S. Kurki, M.D., Ph.D.

Staff Anesthesiologist, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Address correspondence to Tuula Kurki, M.D., Ph.D., Lukupolku 19, 00680 Helsinki
Finland.

ABSTRACT

There has been growing interest in defining and measuring outcomes for cardiac surgical patients. Outcomes measures have been used in many hospitals as tools for measuring the quality of care, although it is difficult to infer from them how care might be improved. Traditionally, the major outcome endpoints used in cardiac surgery have been the 30-day mortality and morbidity rates. Recently, more innovative intermediate outcomes, including health-related quality of life, functional status, and patient satisfaction 6 months to one year after surgery, have received more attention. A significant proportion of the variance in health care outcomes is affected by patient-related risk factors. By using outcome prediction tools and making conclusions based on preoperative risk factor information, surgeons and anesthesiologists are able to make better decisions about treatment strategies. Additionally, operating room and intensive care unit personnel can use these data to schedule cases and allocate resources more efficiently. These data are also very important for hospital administrators and insurance providers.

KEYWORDS

Cardiac surgery, outcome prediction, risk factors, quality of life, morbidity, mortality.

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