Low Serum Albumin Levels Related to Increased Risks Post Cardiac Surgery

A recent meta-analysis unveiled a significant correlation between preoperative serum albumin levels and postoperative outcomes following cardiac surgery. The findings were published in the Surgery Today journal which explored the critical role of serum albumin in predicting patient survival and complication rates.

This study encompassed data from twenty separate studies involving over 22,000 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and compared the outcomes between the individuals with normal serum albumin levels and the individuals with hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia (low serum albumin levels) was found to be the concerning risk factor for adverse postoperative events.

The key findings from the meta-analysis revealed that patients with hypoalbuminemia underwent a substantially elevated risk of long-term all-cause mortality when compared to those with normal levels of albumin. The hazard ratio for serious long-term mortality was recorded at 1.95 with a corresponding risk ratio of 1.91 for increased mortality that highlights the gravity of this relationship.

The hypoalbuminemia patients were found to be more susceptible to postoperative complications, including bleeding, infections and renal injury. These complications not only posed immediate health risks but also prolonged the recovery times, as indicated by longer stays in the intensive care unit and overall hospitalization periods.