ABSTRACT
Cardiac surgery can either induce acute renal failure or improve GFR by improving the cardiac performance. Acute renal shutdown [urine output <0.5ml/kg/hr.] is an uncommon but fatal complication which occurs in cases of insufficient cardiac function and may be accompanied with multi-organ failure. Acute renal failure [ARF] after open heart valve surgery occurs in about 8% of adult cardiac surgical patients with some preoperative renal impairment and in about 3-4% of patients with normal preoperative renal function test. This study was done to determine the frequency of acute renal shutdown after valvular open heart surgery and to detect any suggestive risk factors. 90 patients undergoing valve replacement [mitral and/ or aortic] were prospectively evaluated in three time periods: before, 24 hours after surgery and 48 hours after surgery. The association between preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative variables and the development of ARF was assessed thoroughly. Of the 90 consecutive patients 3 [3.49%] patients developed acute renal failure [serum creatinine>2.5 mg/dl] and 16 [18.6%] patients developed acute renal dysfunction [serum creatinine 1.6-2.4 mg/dl]. The risk factors that were noted in the development of ARF were age, raised preoperative blood urea and creatinine, low cardiac output state, diabetes mellitus, oligurea, total cross clamp time total CPB time, and significant hypotension during the procedure or during intensive care unit [ICU] stay. Mortality rate for established ARF was extremely poor [50%]. Avoidance of this dangerous outcome looks better than trying to treat once it is fully established