Connecting hemosysis and visceral injury during cardiovascular surgery : studies on the causes, effects, and treatment of hemolysis-induced organ injury

Patients who undergo major cardiovascular surgery run a relatively high risk of postoperative complications, such as intestine and kidney damage. This dissertation describes the connection between red blood cell injury (hemolysis), which is often the consequence of the heart-lung machine and blood transfusions during surgery, and the development of intestine and kidney injury after the operation. The various studies gathered in this dissertation show that patients that experience more hemolysis also develop more intestine and kidney injury. Because it is possible to treat the consequences of hemolysis, the results of this dissertation can contribute to the prevention of complications after cardiovascular surgery.