Univariate analysis identified age ( p = 0.027) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; p = 0.035, odds ratio [OR] = 0.127, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.019–8.667) as significant predictors of early mortality, while CPB time approached significance ( p = 0.08).
One of the advantages of using mild systemic hypothermia (28–29°C), as opposed to deep hypothermia, is shorter CPB time required for cooling, especially rewarming of the patient. 19 With the understanding that CPB time is a risk factor for operative mortality, Preventza et al 20 have recently moved to higher temperatures as part of their organ protection strategy. 6 In our patient population, prolonged CPB time did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate analysis for operative mortality.