Operative Outcomes of Women Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in the US, 2011 to 2020

Abstract

Importance: It has been reported that women undergoing coronary artery bypass have higher mortality and morbidity compared with men but it is unclear if the difference has decreased over the last decade. Objective: To evaluate trends in outcomes of women undergoing coronary artery bypass in the US from 2011 to 2020. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study at hospitals contributing to the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons included 1297204 patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass from 2011 to 2020. Exposure: Coronary artery bypass. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was operative mortality. The secondary outcome was the composite of operative mortality and morbidity (including operative mortality, stroke, kidney failure, reoperation, deep sternal wound infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and prolonged hospital stay). The attributable risk (the association of female sex with coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes) for the primary and secondary outcomes was calculated. Results: Between 2011 and 2020, 1297204 patients underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with a mean age of 66.0 years, 317716 of which were women (24.5%). Women had a higher unadjusted operative mortality (2.8%; 95% CI, 2.8-2.9 vs 1.7%; 95% CI, 1.7-1.7; P