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The Effect of Preoperative Hematocrit Level on Early Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Arda Aybars Pala1, Temmuz Taner2, Ahmet Burak Tatli2
1Cardiovascular Surgery, Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital, Adıyaman, TUR.
Insights
Low preoperative hematocrit levels increase mortality risk in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. This finding suggests hematocrit should be a parameter in cardiac surgery risk scoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Low hematocrit is a common preoperative finding in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- Preoperative hematocrit levels may impact patient outcomes following major cardiac surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preoperative hematocrit levels and 30-day outcomes in patients undergoing CABG.
- To determine if low hematocrit is a predictor of adverse events after CABG surgery.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-four patients undergoing isolated CABG were divided into two groups based on preoperative hematocrit: low (<36%) and normal (≥36%).
- Clinical data, including European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), postoperative drainage, blood product transfusion, and 30-day mortality, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Patients with low preoperative hematocrit (Group 1) had a significantly higher EuroSCORE.
- Group 1 experienced significantly greater postoperative drainage and blood product transfusion requirements.
- The 30-day mortality rate was statistically higher in patients with low preoperative hematocrit.
Conclusions:
- Low preoperative hematocrit levels are significantly associated with increased 30-day mortality following CABG surgery.
- Incorporating preoperative hematocrit levels into risk scoring systems for CABG patients is recommended for better risk assessment.
Introduction:
Low hematocrit level is a hematological problem that is frequently encountered in the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative hematocrit level on the first 30-day outcomes in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
Methods:
Ninety-four patients undergoing isolated CABG were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as patients with preoperative low hematocrit levels (<36%) in Group 1 and patients with preoperative normal hematocrit levels (≥36%) in Group 2.
Results:
Forty-six patients in Group 1 (mean age: 63.6 ± 7.9 years) and 48 patients in Group 2 (mean age: 56.5 ± 8.8 years) were enrolled. European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) scoring was statistically significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.011). In the postoperative period, the amount of drainage, transfusion of blood, and blood products were significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.001). The mortality rate of Group 1 was statistically higher in the first 30 days postoperatively (p = 0.020).
Conclusion:
Low preoperative hematocrit levels are associated with increased mortality after CABG surgery. We suggest that patients' preoperative hematocrit levels must be added to the risk scoring systems as an assessment parameter.
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