Characteristics, incidence, and outcomes of gastrointestinal complications post cardiac surgery in a quaternary referral centre: A retrospective study

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications after cardiac surgery are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early identification and treatment of GI complications could improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to ascertain the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of GI complications following cardiac surgery. A retrospective single-centre cohort study of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery in an Australian quaternary cardiothoracic surgical referral centre was conducted from November 2012 to March 2020. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics were compared between patients who did and did not develop GI complications. Data are presented as n (%). Between-group comparisons were analysed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (where n 70 years (GI complication vs no GI complication: 55.8% vs 37.6%; p = 0.000), preexisting diabetes (49.5% vs 34.5%; p = 0.002), and a creatinine level >200 mcg/ml (11.6% vs 3.7%; p = 0.000). Intra-operative factors included a cardiopulmonary bypass time >120 min (28.4% vs 15.5%; p