Risk factors and outcomes of pancreatitis after open heart surgery

BACKGROUND: We sought to analyze the risk factors and natural history associated with post-cardiac surgery acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients having undergone cardiac surgery at our hospital between January 1, 1992, and October 1, 2001. RESULTS: A total of 10,249 cardiac operations were performed. Thirty-nine (0.4%) patients developed postoperative pancreatitis. There was a higher incidence during the period spanning 1992 through 1996 than 1997 through 2001 (0.6% versus 0.2%, P< .05). Patients with pancreatitis had longer postoperative length of stay (51+/-5 days versus 10+/-1 days, P<.05) and a greater in-hospital mortality rate (28% versus 4%, P<.05) than patients who did not develop pancreatitis. A history of alcohol abuse, cardiac surgery performed during 1992 to 1996, increased cardiopulmonary bypass time, and increased cross-clamp time were independent risk factors for the development of pancreatitis. Multiple-organ failure was an independent predictor for death among patients with pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of post-cardiac surgery pancreatitis is diminishing, it is still associated with significant mortality.