Clinical Characteristics of Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia Predict Outcome of Cardiovascular Surgery

Abstract

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia was attributed to malnutrition cachexia, liver insufficiency or congestive heart failure in < 50% of cardiac patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. All types of hypoalbuminemia except for malnutrition cachexia increased the likelihood of postoperative organ dysfunction, nosocomial infections, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and death. The morbidity and mortality attributed to hypoalbuminemia could be explained by the underlying clinical characteristics rather than malnutrition cachexia in cardiac patients.