Early outcomes
Overall, the rate of operative mortality was 10.1%. This rate appeared
to show a decreasing trend over the study period, although the test for
trend was not statistically significant (P=0.06) (Figure 1). Prolonged
ventilation (26%), atrial fibrillation (21%) and pleural effusion
(16%) were the most common post-operative complications (Table 3).
Post-operative dialysis was needed in 13 (13%) patients.