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.