Background

Few studies have considered outcomes among low body mass index (BMI) cohorts undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to investigate the effects of low body weight on blood transfusion and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing isolated CABG.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled consecutive cases from a single-center between January 2008 and December 2018. Low body weight/underweight was defined as a BMI < 18.5 kg/m², while normal BMI was defined as 18.5 ≤ BMI < 24.0 kg/m². The primary endpoint was the perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rate. Secondary endpoints include platelet and plasma transfusion rates, transfusion volume for all blood components, hospital length of stay, and the occurrence of adverse events including prolonged mechanical ventilation, re-intubation, re-operation, acute kidney injury, and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 7,620 patients were included in this study. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 130 pairs were formed, with 61 pairs in the on-pump group and 69 pairs in the off-pump group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the matched groups. Low body weight independently increased the risk of RBC transfusion (on-pump: OR = 3.837, 95% CI = 1.213–12.144, p = 0.022; off-pump: OR = 3.630, 95% CI = 1.875–5.313, p < 0.001). Moreover, within the on-pump group of the original cohort, BMI of < 18.5 kg/m² was independently correlated with increased risk of re-intubation (OR = 5.365, 95% CI = 1.159 to 24.833, p = 0.032), re-operation (OR = 4.650, 95% CI = 1.019 to 21.210, p = 0.047), and 30-day all-cause mortality (OR = 10.325, 95% CI = 2.011 to 53.020, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

BMI < 18.5 kg/m² was identified as an independent risk factor for increased perioperative RBC transfusion rate in patient underwent isolated CABG with or without CPB. Only on-pump underweight patients in the original cohort exhibited an increased risk for re-intubation, re-operation, and 30-day all-cause mortality. Physicians and healthcare systems should consider these findings to improve management for this population.