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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mice
Published on: October 21, 2018
Long-term survival after cardiac surgery is predicted by estimated glomerular filtration rate
Jeremiah R Brown1, Richard P Cochran, Todd A MacKenzie
1Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. jeremiah.r.brown@dartmouth.edu
Insights
Acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery significantly impacts long-term survival. Patients with moderate to severe kidney injury face worse outcomes compared to those with normal renal function post-CABG.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a known risk factor for in-hospital mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently develops post-CABG, even in patients with normal preoperative renal function.
- The long-term survival implications of postoperative eGFR after CABG remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and long-term survival in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.
- To evaluate the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) severity, as indicated by postoperative eGFR, on patient survival.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 13,593 consecutive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients from 2001-2006 was analyzed, excluding those on preoperative dialysis.
- Long-term survival data were obtained by linking patient records to the Social Security Administration Death Master File.
- Patients were stratified into established postoperative eGFR categories (≥90, 60-89, 30-59, 15-29, <15 mL/min/1.73 m²).
Main Results:
- Median follow-up was 2.8 years (mean 2.7 years).
- Patients experiencing moderate to severe acute kidney injury (postoperative eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²) demonstrated significantly poorer long-term survival.
- A clear survival disadvantage was observed in patients with lower postoperative eGFR levels.
Conclusions:
- Moderate to severe acute kidney injury following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with reduced long-term survival.
- Postoperative renal function, assessed by eGFR, is a critical determinant of patient outcomes after CABG.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and managing renal function in the postoperative period following CABG.
Background:
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a key risk factor of in-hospital mortality. However, in patients with normal renal function before CABG, acute kidney injury develops after the procedure, making postoperative renal function assessment necessary for evaluation. Postoperative eGFR and its association with long-term survival have not been well studied.
Methods:
We studied 13,593 consecutive CABG patients in northern New England from 2001 to 2006. Patients with preoperative dialysis were excluded. Data were linked to the Social Security Association Death Master File to assess long-term survival. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank techniques were used. Patients were stratified by established categories of postoperative eGFR (90 or greater, 60 to 89, 30 to 59, 15 to 29, and less than 15 mL x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2)).
Results:
Median follow-up was 2.8 years (mean, 2.7; range, 0 to 5.5). Patients with moderate to severe acute kidney injury (less than 60) after CABG had significantly worse survival than patients with little or no acute kidney injury (90 or greater).
Conclusions:
Patients having moderate to severe acute kidney injury after CABG surgery had worse 5-year survival compared with patients who had normal or near-normal renal function.
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