Severe obesity does not adversely affect perioperative mortality and morbidity in coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective: Obese patients are usually thought to have an increased risk for complications in coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: Therefore, the d ata of 500 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting at our department in 1998 by use of cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed. S evere obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m(2). Obese patients (n = 100; group O) were compared to the remai ning 400 patients (group C). Both groups were comparable with respect to se x, history of prior myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary di sease, previous stroke, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-cl amp time and number of distal anastomoses performed. Obese patients were sl ightly younger and diabetes and hypertension were more common in these pati ents. Results: Survival and potential complications including perioperative myocardial infarction, sternal wound infection, wound infection at the leg , renal failure, stroke, prolonged mechanical ventilation, pneumonia, reexp loration for bleeding, and atrial arrhythmias were analyzed. No significant differences between obese and non-obese patients were detected. Conclusion : Severe obesity does not necessarily adversely affect perioperative mortal ity and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in this study. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.