Preoperative Phase Angle as a Risk Indicator in Cardiac Surgery-A Prospective Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Outcomes
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Phase angle (PhA) is a prognostic indicator in critically ill patients.
• Cardiac surgery patients undergo significant physiological stress.
• Understanding perioperative PhA changes is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the perioperative course of PhA in elective cardiac surgery patients.
• To identify risk indicators associated with PhA changes.
• To evaluate PhA as a bedside prognostic tool.

Main Methods:

• 168 elective cardiac surgery patients were monitored.
• Phase angle (PhA) was measured daily until postoperative day seven.
• Logistic regression models analyzed PhA and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• PhA decreased significantly from preoperative values to a nadir on postoperative day two.
• Lower preoperative PhA correlated with older age, frailty, increased fluid needs, and longer ICU stays.
• Preoperative PhA was influenced by frailty and cardiac function; postoperative decline by fluid balance and cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative PhA monitoring is a simple bedside technique.
• PhA changes provide valuable insights into patient recovery and risk.
• This method can enhance risk evaluation for cardiac surgery outcomes.