Kidney failure after ectracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery

: The renal function of 113 patients undergoing cardiac surgery under ECC was studied. In 32 p. 100 of the cases renal involvement was noted which was moderate in 18 p. 100 of the cases, severe in 10 p. 100 of the cases and anuric in 4 p. 100 of the cases. Valvular surgery was complicated once in every three cases by renal involvement, the repair of congenital malformations once out of every two cases, and coronary surgery in 17 p. 100 of the cases. The fall in renal perfusion represents the essential factor in this renal involvement, which should be avoided by the maintenace during ECC of a high output level and a satisfactory perfusion pressure and by the recovery of correct hemodynamics after the intervention.