[Multiple organ failure after valve replacement]

Multiple organ failure (MOF) after valve replacement during 1980-1991 showed. Incidences involving 2, 3 and over 3 organs were 17.1%, 5.6%, 4.3% with related mortalities 12.0%, 18.5%, 76.2%. This analysis focused on cases of more than 3 organ failures. More than 3 organ failure, the most dreadful complications, can be divided clinically into three types: acute (type I), deteriorating (type II) and pulmonary infection (type III). In MOF the function of heart and lung is primarily depressed after surgery. So the predisposing factors of MOF are acute pump failure and hypoxemia, and likely the "triggering factor" is infection especia pulmonary infection. The latter re-endangers the organs just recovering from the primary blows. So prevention of pulmonary infection is of same importance as treatment of pump failure and hypoxemia.