Rachs-1 system in rist stratification for congenital heart disease surgery outcome

Abstract

Background: The Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) system has been used as a benchmark to compare surgical results in developed countries. Its ability to stratify postoperative mortality risk has been validated in several developed countries, however, this has not been examined in a developing country. Objectives: To assess the ability of the RACHS-1 system to stratify postoperative mortality risk in a developing country. Design: Retrospective study over a five year period between 1st January 2002 and 31s1 December 2006. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, a teaching and referral hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.