Investigation of Malnutrition Rates and Related Risk Factors in Open Heart Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Rates of malnutrition in hospitalized patients may vary depending on the type of the hospital and patient population. Malnourished patients have higher mortality and morbidity rates, longer length of hospital stay (LOS) and much more drug use than patients without malnutrition. We aimed to investigate rates of malnutrition in hospitalized patients undergoing open heart surgery and the associated risk factors. Material and Methods: We studied 50 ASA II-III patients aged between 40-85 years undergoing elective open heart surgery. Patients whose NRS-2002 score ≥ 3 and/or, Body Mass Index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2, and/or serum albumin level <3 g/dl were evaluated as malnourished. Preoperatively patients' demographic data, preoperatwe left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary function test results (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte count, albumin, CRP, and cholesterol values were recorded. LOS in intensive care unit and service, type of complications that occurred during hospitalization were recorded. Pulmonary function test results were also obtained on the day patients discharged. Results: Malnutrition rate was 20 % in patients with open-heart surgery. Patients at risk of malnutrition had longer postoperative intubated time, LOS in ICU and in service, higher rates of postoperative complications and louer preoperative and postoperative FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values than those without risk of malnutrition. But these findings were not statistically significant. In addition, LOS in the ICU and service were found to be relatively longer in overweight and obese patients. Conclusion: In summary, a high rate of malnutrition can be observed in patients with open-heart surgery. Malnutrition has negative postoperative effects in these patients.