Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative outcomes and early mortality of peripheral and central cannulation techniques in cardiac reoperations using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort, patients who underwent cardiac reoperations with median resternotomy were analyzed in terms of propensity score matching. Between November 2010 and September 2020, 257 patients underwent cardiac reoperations via central (Group 1) or peripheral (Group 2) cannulation. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed to balance the influence of potential
confounding factors to compare postoperative data and mortality rate.

Results: There were no significant differences when comparing the matched groups regarding early mortality (P=0.51), major cardiac injury (P=0.99), prolonged ventilation (P=0.16), and postoperative stroke (P=0.99). The development of acute renal failure (P=0.02) was statistically less frequent in Group 1.

Conclusions: Performing cardiopulmonary bypass via peripheral cannulation increases acute renal failure in cardiac reoperations. In contrast, peripheral or central cannulation have similar early mortality rate in cardiac reoperations.