Sarcopenia in open heart surgery patients: A cohort study

Background: Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, or physical performance. It has been reported that cardiac surgery causes systemic inflammatory response, which leads to sarcopenia. In addition, open-heart surgery (OHS) has been associated with length of hospital stay, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and postoperative pulmonary complications. However, very few studies have explored the association of sarcopenia with OHS. Thus, this study explores the prevalence of sarcopenia in OHS patients as well as their relationship. Methods: This cohort study included 160 patients; it was designed to assess sarcopenia during preoperative OHS and before patient discharge from the hospital. Sarcopenia was defined according to Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria as low muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or slow gait speed. Participants were requested to perform exercises to test their handgrip strength, gait speed, and bioelectrical impedance. In addition, their medical history (e.g., duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation) was recorded. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia during preoperative OHS was 26.9%, with affected men comprising 11.9% and affected women comprising 15% of the total sample. Participants with sarcopenia had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those without. Further, patients who had longer stays in the hospital and prolonged mechanical ventilation time showed significantly higher rates of developing sarcopenia. During postoperative OHS, the incidence of sarcopenia rose by 20.92%, increasing the total prevalence of sarcopenia to 46.41%. Moreover, advanced age emerged as one of the most significant risk factors of sarcopenia. Participants in the age group >55 years had an increased risk of sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.90). It was also found that patients with a low BMI (<23 kg*m(-2)) and a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) had an increased risk of sarcopenia (ORs: 2.11 and 1.47, respectively). Moreover, longer hospital stays and mechanical ventilation times were important risk factors (ORs: 1.58 and 2.07, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia was observed to be high during postoperative OHS. Participants with sarcopenia who underwent OHS had a history of DM, longer length of hospital stays, and prolonged mechanical ventilation times, compared with patients without sarcopenia. Clinical trial registration number: TCTR20190509003.