Prognostic nutritional index as a marker of mortality: an observational cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Abstract

Nutritional problem of the patient is a valuable stiuation in patients undergoing surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and postoperative in-mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. 1003 patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery in our hospital between January 2016–January 2020 were included in this study retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on in-hospital mortality, as survivors (Group I, n = 934) and non-survivors (Group II, n = 69). Their preoperative nutritional status was determined using the PNI. Compared to survivors, non-survivors were found to have a significantly higher mean age (62.5 ± 10.8 vs. 67.45 ± 10.1, P 70 (OR: 2.437, 95% CI: 1.983–5.390, P = 0.005), LVEF <35% (OR: 1.945, 95% CI: 1.586–3.492, P = 0.012), IABP usage (OR: 1.365, 95% CI: 1.109–2.196, P = 0.001) and PNI (OR: 0.538, 95% CI: 0.492–0.791, P = 0.033) were determined as independent predictors for mortality. In on-pump cardiac surgery, postoperative mortality is significantly associated with preoperative low PNI, and PNI can be a useful and suitable parameter for preoperative risk evaluation.

Keywords

• prognostic nutritional index
• nutritional status
• cardiac surgery
• cardiopulmonary bypass
• malnutrition
• risk factors