ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To define the determinants of perioperative death and complications after cardiac valve replacement in 702 patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of the patients after cardiac valve replacement were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Perioperative mortality and morbidity correlated significantly with some of the perioperative variables, such as higher NYHA functional class (III or IV), large left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (>/= 70 mm), C/T >/= 0.70, prolonged aortic cross-clamping time and cardiopulmonary bypass time, unsatisfactory myocardial protection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Perioperative mortality and morbidity correlate significantly with some of perioperative variables, such as higher NYHA functional class, unsatisfactory myocardial protection, inappropriate surgical procedure, improper therapy of some complications after cardiac valve replacement. To avoid the occurrence of these independent predictors or to correct them timely might effectively decrease the perioperative mortality and morbidity after cardiac valve replacement.</p>