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Jan 15, 2009Article Details
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Profile and length of stay of coronary artery bypass graft patients in the Cape metropolitan area
Abstract
Study aim. To describe the profile and selected outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients admitted to both private and public hospitals in the Cape metropolitan area. Design. A prospective descriptive study design with a multi-centre observational approach was followed. Method. Only patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery were included in the study. Demographic data, preoperative medical status, and intra-operative and postoperative information were collected using a self-designed
structured initial assessment tool. Relationships between different variables were analysed by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlations, linear and logistic regressions.
Results. 245 patients were admitted to the seven hospitals that provide CABG surgery in the Cape metropolitan area. The mean age of the sample was 60 (±10) years. The mean length of stay (LOS) of the total cohort was 12.1 (±5.5) days, with patients in the state hospitals staying longer (13.4 (±7.1) days) than private patients (11.7 (±4.8) days). Patients aged ≥60 years were twice as likely to have a LOS >12 days (odds ratio 2.49; 95% confidence interval 1.33 - 4.65). The development of a pleural effusion or pneumothorax was associated with an increased LOS (p<0.01). At least one postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) was reported in 65% of the population. Conclusion. Patients in this cohort were younger than in developed countries. Age ≥60 years was a predictor of LOS of more than 12 days. Patients were most likely to develop a PPC on day 3 after CABG surgery.
Southern African Journal of Critical Care Vol. 24 (2) 2008: pp. 56-60
