The National Cardiac Surgery Database Of The Overweight...

In recent decades, improved socioeconomic conditions have led to the expansion of the overweight population worldwide. Obesity is well known to be a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and coronary artery disease [1] and is also thought to increase the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality with cardiac surgery, as evidenced by its inclusion into the Parsonnet system for the stratification of risk for perioperative death [2]. The analysis of the National Cardiac Surgery Database of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, based on data from CABG, indicated that morbid obesity remains an independent predictor of increased operative mortality in patients undergoing CABG [3] Most studies assessing the effect of†¦show more content†¦Understanding the intraoperative transfusion requirements will streamline blood bank usage and facilitate patient-specific interventions. Preoperative parameters that predict usage are varied, with clinical assessment tools already in place for many operative indications, such as trauma patients requiring massive transfusions [8]. Cardiac surgery in particular routinely utilizes red blood cells, and research to evaluate those patients who will require blood, and how much they will need, is ongoing [9-11]. As with transfusions, a tool to evaluate patients preoperatively for their estimated blood loss postoperatively would facilitate the provision of better patient-specific care. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of varying BMI on early clinical outcomes in patients undergoing CABG. We retrospectively evaluated the effects of BMI on bleeding, transfusion and in hospital outcomes among Chinese patients who underwent isolated, primary CABG [12-14]. We also collected the results from their clinically available coagulation test to investigate the variations in different BMI classifications. METHODS STUDY POPULATION The study was approved by the ethics committee of Fuwai Hospital. Patient records/information was made anonymous and de-identified prior to analysis. From January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2013, 1007 patients