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Brazilian Journal of Clinical Medicine and Review

Special Issue: Health Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): January/December - 2026

Factors Associated with Prolonged ICU Stay in the Postoperative Period of Cardiac Surgery in a Reference Hospital in Angola

DOI
https://doi.org/10.52600/2965-0968.bjcmr.2026.4.1.bjcmr48
Submitted
August 14, 2025
Published
2025-11-25

Abstract

Cardiac surgery is a complex procedure, and the number of patients with high surgical risk has increased due to the rise in elderly patients with a greater number of comorbidities. Several risk factors influence the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with prolonged ICU stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A retrospective study was conducted from January to December 2024 with adult patients undergoing surgery with CPB. Data related to pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were collected. Prolonged ICU stay exceeding four days was considered. Among the 47 patients included, the median age was 47 years; 26 (55.3%) were male. Valvular surgery was the most frequent procedure (66%). Nine (19.2%) presented with prolonged ICU stay. The median age was higher in the TIP group (33.06 years vs. 21.86; p=0.027). There was a positive correlation between TIP and mechanical ventilation (r=0.30; p=0.04), intubation time (r=0.30; p=0.04), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r=0.30; p=0.01), and a negative correlation with the absolute lymphocyte count (r=-0.39; p=0.005). Pre- and postoperative variables, including age, mechanical ventilation, intubation time, INL, and lymphocyte count, were associated with TIP in the ICU.

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