Table 5 Definitions of post-operative complications
Complication | Definition |
|---|---|
Cardiovascular | Acute atrial fibrillation and/or troponin-I (> 50 ng∙l−1) and/or angina and/or ECG-detected ischaemia and/or heart failure (X-ray or clinical symptoms requiring changes in the post-operative therapy) and/or CT verified pulmonary embolisation |
Respiratory | Need of oxygen > 4 L/min (to maintain SpO2> 92%) and CRP > 100 and/or pneumonia diagnosed by X-ray and treated by antibiotics |
Cerebrovascular | Focal symptoms and CT scan-verified acute pathology of a stroke or a history and examination consistent with a transient ischaemic attack |
Acute kidney failure | 30% increase of baseline creatinine or/and < 0.5 ml/h diuresis |
Gastrointestinal bleeding | Verified by loss of haemoglobin (Hb < 100 g/l) and blood in the faeces |
Confusion | AMTS or answering the question “Do you think the patient had been more confused lately?” |
Sepsis | Body temperature < 36° or > 38° and heart rate > 90/min and respiratory rate > 20/min or pCO2< 4.3 kPa and leukocytes < 4000 cells/mm3 or > 12 000 cells/mm3 |
Deep-vein thrombosis | When suspected and detected by Doppler ultrasonography |
Wound infection | Deep and/or superficial with purulent exudate and treated by antibiotics |
Delayed healing | Superficial or deep wound breakdown needing surgical intervention |
Urinary tract infection | Positive urine culture and/or new clinical symptoms and CRP > 100 |
Decubitus | Broken skin, but intact subcutaneous tissue or sore involving deep soft subcutaneous tissue without muscle or tissue loss, including soft tissues |
Wound haematoma | Needing surgical drainage |
Haematological | Requirement in the last 24 h of blood products |