Bypass surgery is a common procedure performed worldwide to treat heart diseases. It involves rerouting blood flow around a blocked or damaged artery.

Despite its commonality, bypass surgery is a major procedure that carries risks, including the possibility of death. While undergoing bypass surgery, certain factors may increase the risk of death. These factors are manageable, and identifying them will help patients and medical professionals make informed decisions about surgery.

In this article, we will discuss the top factors quadrupling the risk of death after bypass surgery.

1. Age

Age is a significant factor influencing the risk of death after bypass surgery. According to several studies, patients aged 70 or older are at higher risk of death during and after bypass surgery compared to younger patients.

Elderly patients are likely to have other underlying health conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which makes surgery more complicated. However, age is not necessarily a contraindication to bypass surgery, and many elderly patients have successful bypass surgery.

Effective strategies to manage risk in elderly patients undergoing surgery include optimizing their health before surgery and cautious monitoring during the surgery.

2. Associated Health Conditions

Bypass surgery candidates are often people with underlying health conditions that contribute to coronary disease, like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. These conditions increase the risk of death after surgery.

For instance, diabetes increases the chances of surgical complications, infections, and poor procedure outcomes. Similarly, a history of smoking impacts the quality of the vessels used during the surgery, making it difficult to achieve the desired results.

Medical professionals work with patients to control underlying health conditions to minimize risks before and after surgery.

3. Kidney Function

The kidneys play a significant role in removing waste materials and regulating electrolytes in the body.

Impaired kidney function, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) lower than 60 mL/min, can significantly increase the risk of death after bypass surgery. Studies show that chronic kidney disease patients undergoing bypass surgery have an up to 10% higher death rate than people with normal kidney function.

Medical professionals employ measures such as preoperative hydration and medication to manage kidney function and minimize the risk of complications during and after surgery.

4. The Severity of Heart Disease

The severity of heart disease can impact the risk of death during and after bypass surgery. Patients with extensive heart diseases and several blockages have a higher risk of complications and death after bypass surgery.

Additionally, patients with a left main coronary artery blockage have more than a three times higher risk of death due to bypass surgery complications. The extent of heart disease will determine the type of procedure to be used, the duration of the surgery, and the level of risk associated with the surgery.

5. Lung Function

The lungs play a critical role in exchanging gases between the bloodstream and the atmosphere. Impaired lung function can increase the risk of complications and death after bypass surgery.

Studies show that patients who suffer from obstructive lung disease, lung cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a higher risk of complications after surgery. Medical professionals assess patients’ lung function and provide preoperative respiratory exercises to optimize their breathing and minimize surgical risks.

6. Surgical Emergencies

In some cases, bypass surgery may be carried out as an emergency. Emergency bypass surgery has a higher risk of death and complications compared to elective surgery.

The urgency of the situation may not give medical professionals adequate time to prepare and manage the patient’s health condition before surgery, leading to a higher risk of mortality. In addition, patients undergoing emergency bypass surgery often have underlying health conditions that may impact the success and safety of the procedure.

However, managing the underlying health conditions after the surgical emergency minimizes the risk of death after surgery.

7. Physical State

A patient’s physical state can influence the risk of death after bypass surgery. Patients who are underweight or overweight or have a low body mass index (BMI) have an elevated risk of mortality compared to those with normal BMI.

Underweight patients often have weakened systems that can’t combat surgery, increasing the risk of death. Similarly, overweight patients may have a weakened heart, requiring more cardiac output during and after surgery.

However, medical professionals can work on identifying the underlying causes of these conditions and managing any surgical complications to minimize mortality.

8. Gender

Studies show that gender can influence the risk of death after bypass surgery. Women have a higher incidence of complications than men and show a higher risk of mortality after surgery. This may result from physiological differences between men and women.

Women’s smaller arteries may be more challenging to operate on during bypass surgery, increasing the risk of complications. Additionally, women may have underlying health conditions that lead to more complications and death after surgery.

Medical professionals work to optimize women’s health before surgery and provide gender-based medical monitoring during and after the surgical procedure.

The hospital where bypass surgery takes place can impact the risk of death after surgery. Hospitals with high-volume bypass surgery procedures have a lower mortality rate compared to those with low procedure volume.

Experienced medical personnel and resources to manage surgical emergencies reduce the risk of complications and death. Patients should consider the hospital they choose to undergo the surgery carefully.

10. Surgeon’s Experience

The surgeon’s experience is a significant factor affecting the success of bypass surgery. High-risk patients have a better chance of successful surgery and lower mortality rates when the procedure is overseen by experienced surgeons.

Surgeon’s experience ad mastery of surgical technique reduce the chance of complications during and after the surgery. Patients should choose experienced surgeons with adequate training to minimize mortality risks.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular complications can be life-threatening, and bypass surgery is a vital procedure in the management of coronary diseases.

Proper identification and management of factors that increase the risk of death after surgery can significantly improve patients’ chances of a successful surgical outcome. Age, associated health conditions, kidney, and lung function, severity of heart disease, physical state, gender, hospital-related factors, and the surgeon’s experience are all factors that can impact mortality risks after surgery.

Understanding these risk factors enables patients and medical professionals to make informed decisions about surgical procedures and maximize the chances of a successful outcome.