[New avenues in therapy of postoperative low output syndrome]

The present definitions of low-output syndrome (LOS) associated with cardiac surgery are based on data obtained via the Swan-Ganz-catheter. However, further important data such as signs of chronic renal insufficiency, arterial vascular disease, and perioperative volume overload have hardly been considered. At the Heart Center NRW, FRG, the Swan-Ganz-Catheter is not used routinely to monitor patients following cardiac surgery. According to our experience, the definition of low-output syndrome includes a wider spectrum of relevant criteria. In addition to the data obtained by means of a central venous catheter the clinical aspect of the patient as well as laboratory analysis should be regarded as well. In 1259 consecutive patients (pts) (914 with coronary surgery and 318 with valve surgery) the incidence and mortality of low-output syndrome were determined. In 49 of the 941 coronary surgery pts (5.2%) a postoperative low-output syndrome occurred. Nine pts (0.95%) died as a result of this complication. According to our therapeutical strategy, the low-output syndrome was treated medically in 28 pts (2.9%); in 14 pts (1.5%) IABP implantation was necessary, and 7 pts needed mechanical circulatory support. Surprisingly, the same incidence of LOS occurred in the valve surgery group of pts as in the coronary group. We saw a low-output syndrome in 17 of the 318 pts (5.3%), with fatal outcome in three pts. In 14 of these pts (4.4%) the LOS was treated medically, while the remaining three pts (0.9%) required diastolic augmentation of the IABP.