Impact of musculoskeletal conditions on the perioperative period in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Abstract Background The aging of the population increases the number of elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Despite the proven effectiveness of coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery, it can lead to postoperative complications, similar to any other medical intervention. The early postoperative complications are associated directly with the clinical status of the patient. Most recent studies have focused on the effect of patient's musculoskeletal conditions on quality of life, disability and mortality. However, there are few studies devoted to assessment of the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on the course of the postoperative period in patients treated with CABG. Aim To evaluate the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on the early postoperative period in CABG patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and methods 387 patients aged 65 (59; 69) years with stable CAD, scheduled for CABG were enrolled in the study. Before enrollment all patients signed an informed consent form. For the assessment of the musculoskeletal function, sarcopenia was defined in accordance with the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP, 2019) and osteopenic syndrome (osteopenia/osteoporosis) was defined in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO,2008). Osteosarcopenia was diagnosed in cases of co-existent sarcopenia and osteopenia/osteoporosis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of musculoskeletal disorders. The 1st group included 105 (27.1%) patients: 52 (49.5%) with sarcopenia; 28 (26.7%) with osteopenic syndrome (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and 25 (23.8%) with osteosarcopenia. The 2nd group included 282 (72.9%) patients without musculoskeletal conditions. The analyzed groups were comparable in age, gender and comorbidities. CABG was performed via a midline sternotomy incision with the cardiopulmonary bypass. In the postoperative period, the total number of developed complications (cardiovascular, surgical, pulmonary) in patients with CAD was taken into account. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica software. Results In the early postoperative period, the total number of complications was statistically higher among patients who initially had musculoskeletal disorder. The prevalence of complications was higher in the 1st group of patients - 80 out of 105 (76.2%), while patients without musculoskeletal conditions demonstrated a 1.17 times lower prevalence - 183 out of 282