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.