Gastrointestinal Complications after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A National Study of Morbidity and Mortality Predictors

BackgroundPrevious single-institution studies have documented a 0.6% to 2.4% incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with an associated 14% to 63% mortality rate. To better determine the incidence and impact of GI complications after CABG, national outcomes for CABG were examined from 1998 to 2002.Study DesignThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients undergoing CABG (ICD9 procedure codes 36.10 to 36.16). Two cohorts were compared: CABGs with and without GI complications. Both demographic and outcomes variables were compared by either t-test or chi-square analysis. Logistic regression analyses indicated potential predictors of CABG inpatient mortality and GI complications after CABG.ResultsThe incidence of GI complications among 2.7 million CABGs identified was 4.1%. Total hospital length of stay (19.3 versus 8.8 days) and inpatient mortality (12.0% versus 2.5%, both p < 0.0001) were increased in CABG patients having GI complications. Factors associated with increased risk of GI complications included: age greater than 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.1); hemodialysis (OR, 3.4); intraaortic balloon pump (OR, 1.6); concomitant valve procedure (OR, 1.5); and procedure urgency (OR, 1.22). Use of an internal mammary graft was protective (OR, 0.5), but GI complications increased inpatient mortality risk (OR, 2.6).ConclusionsThis national population-based study indicates that GI complications after CABG occur at a higher rate than previously described, leading to increased hospital length of stay and mortality.