Impact of Limited Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Institution Experience

Enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) refers to extensive multidisciplinary, evidence-based pathways used to facilitate recovery after surgery. The authors assessed the impact that limited ERP protocols had on outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at their institution.

A retrospective cohort study.

This study was a single-institution study conducted at a university hospital.

Patients undergoing open adult cardiac surgery.

Enhanced recovery pathways limited to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of pain, atrial fibrillation prevention, and nutrition optimization were implemented.

A total of 1,058 patients were included in this study. There were 374 patients in each pre- and post-ERP cohort after propensity matching, with no significant baseline differences between the 2 cohorts. Compared to the matched patients in the pre-ERP group, patients in the post-ERP group had decreased total ventilation hours (6.8 v 7.8, p = 0.006), less use of postoperative opioid analgesics as determined by total morphine milligram equivalent (32.5 v 47.5, p < 0.001), and a decreased rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation (23.3% v 30.5%, p = 0.032). Post-ERP patients also experienced less subjective pain and postoperative nausea and drowsiness as compared to their matched pre-ERP cohorts.

Limited ERP implementation resulted in significantly improved perioperative outcomes. Patients additionally experienced less postoperative pain despite decreased opioid use. Implementation of ERP, even in a limited format, is a promising approach to improving outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.