Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, including in Chile, accounting for about 23% of all deaths. Advanced cardiac surgical procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgeries are vital for treating complex conditions. However, Chile lacks a national registry for cardiac surgeries, which hinders systematic analysis of outcomes and preoperative risk factors.

Objectives

To characterize the preoperative risk factors associated with heart surgery in Chile.

Methods

This study used an electronic database from Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente in Concepción, Chile. Between 2014 and 2023, 3,415 patients were included, and their preoperative demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and cardiovascular history were analyzed.

Results

The cohort’s mean age was 62.08 ± 11.7 years, with 67.7% of participants being male. Most interventions were CABG at 50.7% and valvuloplasty at 35.4%. Hypertension was the leading comorbidity at 77.1%, followed by diabetes at 36.1% and renal dysfunction at 10.1%. Functional capacity, assessed through the NYHA classification, showed a strong correlation with risk; individuals in NYHA classes III and IV had significantly higher mortality rates. Observed mortality rates surpassed predictions in high-risk groups, especially for those needing preoperative support or undergoing emergency procedures.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the importance of preoperative risk assessment in cardiac surgery and suggests establishing a national registry for it. Systematic data collection is essential for improving surgical outcomes and delivering evidence-based care.