ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

Obesity can cause risk augmentation of coronary artery disease. In this study, the effects of obesity were investigated on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and its outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN:

We performed retrospective study on the 103 of CABG patients who were randomly selected. The patients were grouped as normal (group 1, n=24), overweight (group 2, n=45), mild obese (group 3, n=21), moderate- severe obese (group 4, n=13), in according to body mass index. Data analyses were performed with SPSS 10.00 program.

RESULTS:

Development of recent atrial fibrillation and difficulty of the healing of sternal incision were seen at significantly higher rates in group 4. One hemiparesy, in group 3 and 2 superficial and 1 deep sternal wound infections and 1 hemothorax in group 4 were detected. Intraoperative mortality was never seen. However, two patients died in group 1, one patients died in group 3 and one patient died in group 4, in early postoperative period.

DISCUSSION:

Significant CABG mortality may not be seen in obese patients. However, obesity may cause prolonged postoperative hospital stay and the higher cost of operation.