RISK FACTORS OF PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING (CABG)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the incidence and risks of post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a tertiary care cardiac center.

Methods: This study conducted a retrospective observational analysis to determine the incidence and risk factors of PPCs in 70 patients who underwent CABG under general anesthesia. The primary goal was to evaluate the occurrence of PPCs within 7 days after surgery. This study used the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome (EPCO) definitions to diagnose and categorize PPCs.

Results: Pulmonary complications (PPCs) occurred in 19 patients (27.1%), while 51 patients (72.9%) did not experience PPCs. Among the types of PPCs, pleural effusion was the most common, occurring in 14 cases (73.6%). Over 65 years old was found in 71.0% of PPC patients (19 individuals) vs. 28.2% of non-PPC patients (51 individuals), with an odds ratio of 6.22 (95% CI: 2.21-17.48), p<0.0001. Prolonged bypass over 120 minutes was in 45.2% of PPC patients vs. 10.3% of non-PPC, with an odds ratio of 7.21 (95% CI: 2.04-12.43), p=0.002. Smoking was present in 25.8% of PPC patients compared to 10.3% in non-PPC patients, with an odds ratio of 3.04 (95% CI: 0.81-11.4) and a p-value of 0.09.

Conclusion: Advanced age of >65 years, prolonged duration of surgery were significant risk factors of PPCs after CABG. While smoking was a moderate risk factor of PPCs.