Dataset Information

Increased Risk of Postoperative Mortality Associated With Prior COVID-19 Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The impact of COVID-19 infection on surgical patients is largely described by small-cohort studies. This study characterized the risk factors for postoperative mortality among patients with preoperative COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record for patients who tested positive for COVID-19 before surgery, excluding procedures related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (case, March 2020-April 2021). Mortality was compared with that for patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (control, January 2018‒February 2020) with chi-square, t test, and multivariable regression.

Results

There were 5,209 patients in the control cohort. Among 1,072 patients with positive COVID-19 testing before surgery, 589 had surgeries with specialties tracked by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (General Surgery, Gynecology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Thoracic, Vascular). Patients with previous COVID-19 infection were younger (age 48 vs 59 years, p<0.001), were more likely to be Black (42% vs 28%, p<0.001), and underwent fewer elective surgeries (55% vs 83%, p<0.001). Postoperative mortality was greater among the case cohort (4.4% vs 1%, p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, postoperative mortality increased with age (OR=1.02), emergent surgeries (OR=2.6), and previous COVID-19 infection (OR=3.8). Among patients with previous COVID-19 infection, postoperative mortality was associated with male sex (OR=2.7), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification Score (OR=4.8), and smoking history (OR=3.7).

Conclusions

Although data abstraction was limited by the electronic medical record, postoperative mortality is nearly 6 times higher for patients infected with COVID-19 within 2 weeks before surgery when adjusting for patient- and procedure-level factors. Among those with previous COVID-19 infection, postoperative mortality is associated with male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification Score, and smoking history.

SUBMITTER: Shao CC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9212625 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the predictors of postoperative mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients.BackgroundCOVID-19-positive patients have more postoperative complications. Studies investigating the risk factors for postoperative mortality in COVID-19-positive patients are limited.MethodsCOVID-19-positive patients who underwent surgeries/procedures in Cleveland Clinic between January 2020 and March 2021 were identified retrospectively. The primary outcome was postoperative/procedural 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and 30-day readmission.ResultsA total of 2543 patients who underwent 3027 surgeries/procedures were included. Total 48.5% of the patients were male. The mean age was 57.8 (18.3) years. A total of 71.2% had at least 1 comorbidity. Total 78.7% of the cases were elective. The median operative time was 94 (47.0-162) minutes and mean length of stay was 6.43 (13.4) days. Postoperative/procedural mortality rate was 4.01%. Increased age [odds ratio (OR): 1.66, 95% CI, 1.4-1.98; P <0.001], being a current smoker [2.76, (1.3-5.82); P =0.008], presence of comorbidity [3.22, (1.03-10.03); P =0.043], emergency [6.35, (3.39-11.89); P <0.001] and urgent versus [1.78, (1.12-2.84); P =0.015] elective surgery, admission through the emergency department [15.97, (2.00-127.31); P =0.009], or inpatient service [32.28, (7.75-134.46); P <0.001] versus outpatients were associated with mortality in the multivariable analysis. Among all specialties, thoracic surgery [3.76, (1.66-8.53); P =0.002] had the highest association with mortality. Total 17.5% of the patients required intensive care unit admission with increased body mass index being a predictor [1.03, (1.01-1.05); P =0.005].ConclusionsCOVID-19-positive patients have higher risk of postintervention mortality. Risk factors should be carefully evaluated before intervention. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of pandemic on long-term surgical/procedural outcomes.