Greenwood JC, Jang DH, Hallisey SD, et al. - Researchers undertook this prospective, observational analysis to investigate whether microcirculatory dysfunction following cardiac surgery would include impaired capillary blood flow and impaired diffusive capacity, and whether an increased postoperative lactate level and acute organ injury scores would be seen in individuals with the lowest quartile of perfused vessel density. This study included 25 adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery needing cardiopulmonary bypass. Findings revealed a significant reduction in postoperative microcirculatory convective blood flow as well as diffusive capacity during early postoperative resuscitation among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Experts also identified a significant link of severely impaired perfused vessel density, represented by the lowest quartile of distribution, with hyperlactatemia and early organ injury.