This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Case‐controlled study of critical care or surgical ward care after elective open colorectal surgery. BJS 2012; 99: 295-299.
Published: 21st November 2011
Authors: M. Swart, J. B. Carlisle
Background
Evidence for the benefit of critical care after surgery is limited. This study assessed the value of immediate admission to the critical care unit (CCU) after open colorectal surgery.
Method
Patients aged over 45 years were screened with a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine their anaerobic threshold. Less fit patients defined by an anaerobic threshold below 11 ml oxygen per kg per min were assigned to either critical care or surgical ward care. Those with an anaerobic threshold of 11 ml oxygen per kg per min or above were assigned to ward care. The outcome measure was the number of cardiac events.
Results
Of 153 patients who underwent exercise testing, 55 had an anaerobic threshold of at least 11 ml oxygen per kg per min (ward care) and 98 had a threshold of less than 11 ml oxygen per kg per min, of whom 39 were allocated to ward care and 51 to critical care. Median length of CCU stay was 31 (range 5–46) h. More cardiac events occurred in patients allocated to ward care (7 of 39) than in those allocated to critical care (0 of 51): absolute difference 18 (95 per cent confidence interval 10 to 26) per cent (P = 0·002). There were no cardiac events in patients with an anaerobic threshold of 11 ml oxygen per kg per min or higher.
Conclusion
Patients with an anaerobic threshold of at least 11 ml oxygen per kg per min and those with a threshold below 11 ml oxygen per kg per min managed in the CCU had fewer cardiac events. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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