Cardiovascular outcomes are worse among individuals from areas with limited socioeconomic resources. This study evaluated the relationship between high socioeconomic deprivation and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) outcomes.

We linked statewide Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database data to Medicare fee-for-service records for 10,423 Michigan residents undergoing isolated CABG between 01/2012-12/2018. High socioeconomic deprivation was defined as residing in the highest decile of zip code-level area deprivation index (ADI). Multivariable logistic regression estimated the relationship between top ADI decile and major morbidity, in-hospital mortality, and operative mortality. Survival analyses evaluated long-term survival comparing patients in the top versus not in the top ADI decile.

A total of 1,036 patients were in the top decile of ADI (ADI>82.4), and were more likely to be female, black, and have a higher predicted risk of mortality. Patients in the top ADI decile had significantly higher rates of major morbidity (17.4% versus 11.4%, adjusted odds ratio =1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.54, p=0.021) and in-hospital mortality (3.2% versus 1.3%, adjusted odds ratio=1.84, 95% CI: 1.18-2.86, p=0.007), but not operative mortality. The adjusted hazard of mortality was 16% higher for patients residing in the top ADI decile (95% CI: 1.01-1.33, p=0.032).

Isolated CABG patients residing in the highest areas of socioeconomic deprivation differed with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics, and experienced worse short and long-term outcomes compared with those not in the top ADI decile.