Results
Overall, 1388 patients were scheduled for cardiac surgery during this period. Elective surgeries constituted 70.7% (981/1388) and urgent 29.3% (407/1388). 231/1388 (16.7%) procedures were cancelled for the following reasons: 30.5% lack of ITU beds, 20.1% patient medically unfit, 8.2% ITU staff shortage, 6.9% emergency case intervention and 34.2% other.
There was no significant difference in mortality between groups (2.6% in C vs 1.6% in NC, p=0.62). In group C, 36% (84/231) of patients underwent surgery within 72 hours of cancellation, 47% (110/231) of procedures were rescheduled, and 6.9% (16/231) were not performed. 30.7% (71/231) were potentially preventable. All cancelled patients were asked to complete the survey; 43.7% (101/231) responded, with 22.8% (23/101) describing feeling upset. However, 92.1% (93/101) felt the cancellation was justified.