Effect of gender on fast-track recovery after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of gender on time to extubation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay.

Design: Retrospective study comparing outcomes as related to gender.

Setting: Tertiary care university teaching hospital.

Participants: Consecutive patients (n = 561; 376 men, 185 women) undergoing CABG surgery between January 1995 and December 1997.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and main results: Early extubation was possible in 74% of men versus 64% of women (p = 0.03); length of stay was < or =5 days in 60% of men versus 48% of women (p = 0.008); overall postoperative length of stay was 5.7 days for men versus 6.5 days for women (p = 0.003); morbidity and mortality were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion: Women undergoing CABG surgery with a standardized fast-track protocol have longer intubation times, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay than their male counterparts.