Endpoints
The primary endpoints of the study were 30-day and in-hospital
mortality, defined as death due to any cause during postoperative course
at 30 days and until discharge, usually to a rehabilitation unit,
respectively. Secondary endpoints included post-operative major stroke
(defined as clinical and radiological evidence of a new postoperative
cerebrovascular event [CVA] with a mRS ≥ 4), spinal cord injury
(SCI) temporary or permanent, return to operating room for cardiac
causes, renal failure requiring replacement therapy, respiratory
insufficiency requiring prolonged ventilation and/or tracheostomy, deep
sternal wound infection involving sternal bone and/or mediastinal
structures, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and in-hospital length of
stay.