Coulson TG, et al. - Cardiac surgical risk models predict mortality preoperatively, whereas intensive care unit (ICU) models predict mortality postoperatively. An alteration in the status of the patient related to the surgery may be reflected by a large difference between the 2 (an acute risk change [ARC]). Herein, researchers aimed to validate ARC in a UK population and to investigate the possible mechanisms behind ARC. ARC was recognized as a readily available and sensitive marker that correlated strongly with morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, it was suggested that areas for improvement of the quality of cardiac surgical care could be identified using ARC in local and national quality monitoring.