Existence of renal dysfunction in diabetics undergoing coronary artery bypass

The effect of diabetes mellitus on morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting has remained uncertain, and conflicting conclusions have been reported in clinical trials. Evidence suggests that coronary artery bypass in patients with diabetes mellitus carries a higher risk of stroke, renal failure, perioperative complications, and sternal wound infection. This study evaluated the frequency of acute renal dysfunction after coronary artery bypass in diabetic patients, and the associated risk factors.

This cross-sectional observational study included 135 patients with diabetes (111 males and 24 females with a mean age 51 years and a body mass index of 27.44 kg m(-2)), who underwent elective coronary artery bypass from March 2015 to October 2015. Data were collected prospectively in 2 tertiary care centers. Renal dysfunction was assessed by serum creatinine levels preoperatively and at 24 and 48 h postoperatively.

Fifteen percent of patients were found to have postoperative renal dysfunction. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with increased serum creatinine preoperatively were at greater risk of developing renal dysfunction after coronary artery bypass (p = 0.00). On multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, preoperative serum creatinine level was the only independent predictor of postoperative renal dysfunction; age, body mass index, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic crossclamp time showed no significant association.

Diabetic patients with increased serum creatinine preoperatively are at greater risk of kidney damage postoperatively; therefore, these patients should be monitored and treated critically in the perioperative period.