Intraoperative myocardial acidosis as a risk for hospital readmission after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background This study elucidates the relationship between intraoperative myocardial acidosis/ischemia and the risk of unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days and 6 months after cardiac surgery. Methods Myocardial tissue pH (corrected to 37°C: pH 37C ) was monitored in 221 patients during cardiac surgery. Regional myocardial acidosis was defined in terms of specific pH thresholds. Results Fourteen percent and 27% of the patients were readmitted within 30 days and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The mean number of readmissions was 1.67 ± 1.24; pH 37C Conclusions Persistent regional myocardial acidosis after weaning from CPB independently determines unplanned readmission rates up to 6 months postoperatively. This study underscores the importance of avoiding myocardial tissue acidosis during cardiac surgery.