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.