Abstract
Purpose
Underweight (BMI < 18.5) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) patients may not tolerate coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery as well as other patients. High and low body mass indices seem to pose a substantial risk of developing post-operative pulmonary complications in subjects undergoing cardiac surgery. To what extent body mass index (BMI) influences postoperative pulmonary complications has not yet been defined.
Methods
Patients posted for CABG were divided into 4 groups based on the BMI. Before and after the surgery chest physiotherapy was administered; pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed preoperatively and on the 7th postoperative day. Six-minute Walk test (6MWT) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively on the 5th day. The values were analysed and compared among the groups.
Results
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), Forced vital capacity (FVC) and Vital Capacity (VC) were significantly lesser in underweight and obese groups (
p
= 0.001). In 6MWT the maximum reduction in the distance covered was in the underweight group.
Conclusion
The underweight group experienced the greatest reduction in pulmonary function test values and 6MWT values after CABG.