Long-term mortality in patients with a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit (PICU) stay

Introduction Non-cardiac surgical patients undergoing major surgery are progressively older and with multiple associated comorbidity. A worse baseline status and complicated postoperative course is usually assumed in patients who die in the postoperative intensive care unit (PICU). This study evaluates mortality in patients with prolonged ICU stay and try to identify differences in subjects characteristics and to determine risk factors for mortality among those dying in ICU.