BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY
Patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery represent a significant proportion of admissions to intensive care units (ICU) and utilize large amounts of resources. The aim of this study was to present mortality data and identify risk factors associated with 30-days, 90-days and 1-year mortality after major non-cardiac surgery in patients admitted to the ICU. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A register based study including patients aged 18+ years admitted to the ICU at four Capital Region hospitals in Denmark between January 2005 and December 2014. Patients were included if admitted to the ICU within 30-days of major surgery with a minimum stay of 24 hours in the ICU unless deceased. Patients were identified through the Danish National Patient Register. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors of mortality. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The study included 3,311 patients admitted to the ICU after undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. Mean age was 69.1 (SD 14.0). Urological surgery accounted for 10.2%, orthopaedic surgery for 18.4% and abdominal surgery for 71.3%. Acute surgery accounted for 74.5% of the procedures. Median lengths of stay in the ICU was 2.0 days (1.0-4.0, Q1-Q3). Invasive ventilation was applied in 56.7% of the patients while 16.2% received haemodialysis. 
The 30-days, 90-days and 1-year mortality was 38%, 45% and 51%, respectively. Figure 1 illustrates stratified Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, acute surgery, abdominal and orthopaedic surgery were independently associated with an increased 30-days, 90-days and 1-year postoperative mortality, table 1. 
Few studies have specifically reported on outcomes in ICU patients that have undergone major non-cardiac surgery. 
Future research should focus on improving the perioperative risk stratification to provide optimal perioperative care and improve the observed poor outcome. 

CONCLUSIONS
Short- and long-term mortality in non-cardiac surgical patients in the ICU remains high especially when admitted after acute surgery.

High short- and long-term mortality in major non-cardiac surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit