Effects and outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients with cardiometabolic syndrome

Introduction Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is diabetes mellitus (or insulin resistance) plus any two of the following risk factors: hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. The correlation of metabolic syndrome with cardiovascular disease and the increase in the prevalence of patients with risk factors have solidified the importance of continued focus on metabolic syndrome. We retrospectively evaluated single‐center data to determine if there is an association between CMS and outcomes. Methods The local Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Database was queried for consecutive coronary bypass (CABG) cases from 2002 to 2010. Short and long‐term outcomes were compared between groups of patients with CMS and then risk‐adjusted using multiple regression models with adjusted odds ratios and hazard ratios. Results Of 11 021 CABG cases, 3881 (35.2%) had CMS, with an annual prevalence that increased from 32% to 40% during the study. Patients with CMS were more likely to have prior cerebrovascular diseases, strokes, renal insufficiency, and worse New York Heart Association status. Unadjusted postoperative comparisons revealed that patients with CMS had higher rates of stroke, renal failure, dialysis, deep sternal wound infection, and longer intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Risk‐adjusted odds ratios did not reveal a significant impact on short‐term outcomes, however, adjusted hazard ratios continued to demonstrate significant decreases in long‐term survival in patients with CMS. Conclusions Patients with CMS were more likely to present with increased comorbidities. Patients with CMS undergoing CABG were at risk for worse short‐term secondary postoperative outcomes and reduced long‐term survival. The data supports the need for further investigation for risk reduction surrounding operative revascularization.