Early postoperative recovery by chronic dialysis patients after coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective: A faster start at rehabilitation has been a great benefit in reducing complications and costs after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We studied early postoperative recovery from CABG in dialysis patients. Methods: From January 2001 to May 2006, a total of 401 patients underwent isolated CABG at our institution. We retrospectively studied 348 consecutive elective cases, which were divided into two groups; 18 with dialysis (group D) and 330 without dialysis (group N), with respect to having meals, standing, and walking. Results: An analysis of patient demographics revealed significant differences in gender, comorbidity of old cerebral infarction, anemia, and water balance during operation (P <0.05). Operative and in-hospital mortalities were 0% in group D. The percentages of the patients who were eating meals, standing, or walking on postoperative day (POD) 1 in group D were 88.9%, 66.6%, and 27.8%, respectively. In group N, these percentages were significantly higher: 96.1%, 85.5%, and 75.8%. But by POD 2, these values became similar. We considered that the delay of rehabilitation in group D was mainly due to hemodialysis on POD 1. Conclusion: Early postoperative recovery from elective isolated CABG in dialysis patients delayed a day against nondialysis patients. The delay was considered a result of the inevitable dialysis on POD 1.