Cardiac index guidance did not cut complications

Tailoring circulation support to each patient’s usual heart output for their body size did not reduce early complications after major abdominal surgery.

• Kidney or heart injury, severe infection, cardiac arrest, or death within seven days occurred in 44.3% with tailored care and 46.9% with routine care.
• The randomized trial included 1,095 high-risk patients having elective major abdominal surgery.

The approach did not improve outcomes over routine care, so the trial offers no reason to make these targets standard.