Association between antihypertensive combinations and postoperative mortality and functional decline: a nationwide survey of Japanese adults undergoing major surgeries

Abstract

Background: Considering the limited information available regarding the impact of antihypertensive classes on mortality and physical function during hospitalization, we aimed to clarify the impact of six antihypertensive classes, namely thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics (TH), calcium receptor blockers (CCBs), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RASis), mineral corticoid receptor antagonists, α-blockers, and β-blockers, on outcomes in adult patients undergoing major surgeries. Methods: This study was a subanalysis of a nationwide observational cohort study involving Japanese adults undergoing major surgeries from 2018 to 2019 using an administrative claims database. We recruited 473,327 antihypertensive medication users and 376,583 nonusers aged ≥50 years who underwent six different types of surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), thoracic lobectomy, orthopedic surgery, hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, gastrointestinal resection, and urological surgery. The risk for overall death or functional decline, defined as a >5-point decrease in the Barthel Index score during hospitalization, was determined using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: All-cause inhospital deaths occurred in 5,777 (1.2%) users and 2,657 (0.7%) nonusers. Functional decline was observed in 42,930 (9.2%) users and 22,550 (6.0%) nonusers. Among single class users, RASi use had a multivariable odds ratio (OR) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63-0.93 vs. TH) for the composite of mortality and functional decline. β-Blocker use was associated with an increased risk for functional decline (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.60 vs. TH). Among the recipients of the two medication classes, TH/RASi usage was associated with the lowest risk for composite outcome (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.60-0.77 vs. TH/CCB). Among the recipients of the three or more medication classes, TH/CCB/RASi or TH/CCB/RASi/other displayed the lowest odds for composite outcome (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49-0.82 vs. TH/CCB/other; OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49-0.82 vs. TH/CCB/others). A stratified analysis revealed that RASi users had a lower OR for the composite outcome after major surgery categories except CABG than non-RASi users. Conclusions: RASis were associated with decreased risk of postoperative mortality and functional decline regardless of the number of antihypertensive classes or surgery type. Managing hypertension through multidrug combinations, including RASis, may mitigate mortality and loss of physical function during the perioperative period.