There is a potential for renal dysfunction in the
postoperative cardiac surgery patient. One reference
suggests that the incidence is approximately 8%.1
Renal insufficiency may be related to advanced age,
hypertension, diabetes, decreased function of the left
ventricle, and length of time on the CPB.25 One
indicator of effective CO is adequate renal perfusion
as evidenced by urinary output of at least 0.5 mL/kg/h.
The nurse must monitor the urinary output at least
hourly during the early postoperative period