2.1 Definitions
Right ventricular failure was defined as probable or definite if the
patient needed inotropic drugs with/without pulmonary vasodilators for
at least 7 days and 14 days, respectively. For both definitions, there
should be no other coexisting condition (i.e. hypovolemia or pericardial
tamponade) that would necessitate inotropic use, central venous pressure
should be 16 mmHg or higher and postoperative echocardiographic findings
should be compatible with right heart failure. In addition, patients who
needed temporary right heart support via a short-term mechanical assist
device or extracorporeal membrane oxygenator were automatically
considered as having definite right ventricular failure (4). Mortality
was defined as death from any cause.