The Relative Frequency of Agitation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Operation and Related Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: Agitation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operation is a common and life-threatening complication. Recognizing factors affecting it will reduce the incidence of this complication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of agitation after CABG operation and the factors affecting it. Methods: This study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing CABG operation. Demographics and incidence of postoperative agitation were recorded using Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) criteria for all patients every 24 hours to 72 hours. Analysis was done using t, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests. Findings: Overall prevalence of agitation in patients undergoing CABG was 40%. The prevalence of agitation in patients with diabetes (P = 0.050), hypertension (P < 0.001), smoking (P < 0.001), and drug addiction (P = 0.002) was significantly higher than patients without expressed factors. It was also found that the incidence of complications during surgery in agitated patients was significantly higher as compared to other patients (P = 0.045) and they had lower preoperative white blood cells (WBC), higher surgery duration, higher morphine, midazolam, and pethidine, and higher length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (P < 0.050 for all). Conclusion: In our study, incidence of agitation had significant correlation with diabetes, hypertension, smoking, drug addiction, surgery complications, and mean WBC count before the surgery, and duration of surgery, and amount of received morphine, midazolam, and pethidine in the first 24 hours, and the length of stay in intensive care unit.

Keywords

• Agitation
• Coronary artery bypass grafting
• Risk factors