Table 1.

Patient data

Parameter	Group 1	Group 2	P
Number of patients	500	250
Age (years)	59.9 ± 23.2	60.3 ± 28.6	NS
ICU mortality	5.8%	4.0%	P < 0.01
Preoperative serum creatinine levels (μmol/l)	89 (range 53–131)	104 (range 64–153)	P < 0.01
Patients treated with dopamine	100%	15% (n = 37)	P < 0.001
Average dose of dopamine	5.7 μg/kg per min	6.9 μg/kg per min	P < 0.02
Patients treated with furosemide during surgery and/or in the 12-hour period preceding surgery	35% (n = 176)	25% (n = 63)	P < 0.01
Average dose of furosemide	16.7 mg	17.2 mg	NS
Rectal temperature at ICU admission	34.6°C	36.0°C	P < 0.001
Patients requiring antiarrhythmic medication (amiodarone, sotalol or other β blocker)a	189 (38%)	26 (10%)	P < 0.001

^aPrescribed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment of arrhythmias. Patients using antiarrhythmic medication before surgery not included; prescription of β blocker for hypertension not included. Where applicable, values are expressed as mean ± standard error. NS, not significant.