Acute renal insufficiency complicating major cardiovascular surgery.

Thirty-one patients underwent hemodialysis for renal failure as a complication of major cardiovascular surgery at the University of Minnesota (1968-1973). Only eight patients (26%) survived. A review of the literature shows that since the beginning of hemodialysis the mortality of those patients has not improved. Infection was the overwhelming cause of death. The infections were difficult to diagnosis because they were frequently associated with abdominal abscesses that were almost uniformly overlooked. Several possible ways of improving these patients survival are: 1) the use of early operative interventions of second look type; 2) improved hygenic measures in the care of these patients; 3) more selective antibiotic treatment based on frequent reculturing; and 4) daily short dialysis in association with hyperalimentation.