Prediction of major complications after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: the CGMH experience

The in-hospital mortality of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is low but can be significant if catastrophic complications occur. To increase the safety of CABG, we aimed to establish a predictive model of major postoperative complications that incorporated patient characteristics and operative strategies.

A retrospective study was performed which included all consecutive patients receiving isolated CABG from August 2006 to February 2008 (n = 319). Patient characteristics were quantified by the additive EuroSCORE. Operative strategies were classified as cardioplegic arrest, on-pump beating, and off-pump.

Four major complications were identified to be connected to the in-hospital mortality: (1) requirement of mechanical circulatory supports > 72 h (odds ratio [OR] 28.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0-139.9), (2) requirement of mechanical ventilator supports > 72 h (OR 9.5., 95%, CI 2.2- 42.7), (3) acute renal failure requiring dialysis (OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.2-38.3), (4) major gastrointestinal complications (OR 5.4., 95% CI 1.1-26.7). An increase of additive EuroSCORE (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) and the cardioplegic strategy (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.0) were independent risk factors for major complications. The probability of one or more major complication was > 50% for patients receiving cardioplegic CABG with an additive EuroSCORE > 8.

Dependence on the mechanical ventilator or circulatory supports > 72 h, acute renal failure requiring dialysis, and major gastrointestinal complications were major complications of CABG. The individual risk of having at least one of these complications could be predicted by the patient's preoperative EuroSCORE and operative strategy. A surgical plan tailored by institutional experiences on specific risk factors and aggressive therapeutic plans for major complications are helpful in improving the overall results of CABG.