Sarcopenia Adversely Affects Outcomes following Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a degenerative condition characterised by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Its impact on cardiac surgery outcomes remains poorly investigated. This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence to determine the effect of sarcopenia on cardiac surgery outcomes. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines from inception to April 2023 in EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar. Twelve studies involving 2717 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included. Primary outcomes were early and late mortality; secondary outcomes included surgical time, infection rates, and functional outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate methods. Results: Sarcopenic patients (906 patients) had a significantly higher risk of early mortality (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.44 to 3.99, p = 0.0007) and late mortality (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.57 to 4.48, p = 0.0003) compared to non-sarcopenic patients (1811 patients). There were no significant differences in overall surgical time or infection rates. However, sarcopenic patients had longer ICU stays, higher rates of renal dialysis, care home discharge, and longer intubation times. Conclusion: Sarcopenia significantly increases the risk of early and late mortality following cardiac surgery, and sarcopenic patients also experience poorer functional outcomes.

The Surgical Treatment of Infective Endocarditis: A Comprehensive Review

“…The increased ageing world population had similarly contributed to an increase in the incidence of IE, with the elderly representing a growing portion of patients, whom cardiac surgeons will have to clinically assess and manage. Age and frailty have already been established to be a prognostic factor for mortality in IE [ 75 , 76 ]. The definition of “elderly” has been heterogenous across different studies, with some reporting >70 years of age as elderly while others report >80 years of age as elderly, leading to a potential heterogeneity in results.…”

Effect of Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Functional Capacity in Older Women with Sarcopenic Obesity—A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis

“…Estimations of sarcopenia prevalence range from 9.9% to 40.4% among different populations [6]. Moreover, sarcopenia is connected with a decline in functional capacity (i.e., balance performance and mobility) and an increased risk of falls, fractures, and mortality [7][8][9][10]. In addition, sarcopenia has also been associated with increased postoperative complications [11,12].…”

Preoperative Sarcopenia Assessment Using Pectoralis Muscle Mass Indicated Poor Mid-term Cardiac Surgery Prognosis

“…It is also known to occur in 6-22% of older adults [3,4]. A systematic study reported that sarcopenia significantly increased the risk of early and late mortality after cardiac surgery [5].…”