Bariatric surgery improves outcomes of hospitalizations for acute heart failure: a contemporary, nationwide analysis

Russyan Mark Mabeza; Shannon Richardson; Amulya Vadlakonda; Nikhil Chervu; Jacob Roberts; Amy Yetasook; Peyman Benharash

doi:10.1016/j.soard.2022.12.027

Bariatric surgery improves outcomes of hospitalizations for acute heart failure: a contemporary, nationwide analysis

Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2023 Jul;19(7):681-687. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2022.12.027. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Authors

Russyan Mark Mabeza¹, Shannon Richardson¹, Amulya Vadlakonda¹, Nikhil Chervu¹, Jacob Roberts², Amy Yetasook³, Peyman Benharash⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories (CORELAB), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
² Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
³ Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California.
⁴ Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories (CORELAB), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: pbenharash@mednet.ucla.edu.

PMID: 36697325
DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2022.12.027

Abstract

Background: The link between obesity and poor outcomes in heart failure (HF) has been well-established.

Objectives: This retrospective study sought to examine national rates and outcomes of acute HF hospitalizations in obese individuals with a prior history of bariatric surgery.

Setting: Academic, university-affiliated; the United States.

Methods: Adult admissions (≥18 years) including a diagnosis of severe obesity were identified in the 2016-2019 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients who previously underwent bariatric operations were categorized into the Bariatric cohort. Multivariable linear and logistic models were used to assess the association of prior bariatric surgery with outcomes of interest.

Results: Of an estimated 10,343,828 admissions for a diagnosis of severe obesity, 925,716 (8.9%) comprised the bariatric cohort. After risk adjustment, bariatric surgery was associated with significantly decreased odds of acute HF hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: .40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .38-.41). Among acute HF hospitalizations, prior bariatric surgery was linked to lower odds of mortality (AOR: .68, 95% CI: .52-.89), prolonged mechanical ventilation (AOR .44, 95% CI: .32-.61), acute renal failure (AOR: .76, 95% CI: .70-.82), and prolonged hospitalization (AOR: .77, 95% CI: .68-.87). Bariatric surgery was linked to a decrement of 1 day (95% CI: .7-1.1) and $1200 in hospitalization costs (95% CI: 400-1900), but no significant difference in odds of 30-day readmission.

Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is associated with reduced admissions for acute HF. Among acute HF hospitalizations, bariatric surgery is linked to significantly improved clinical and financial outcomes. Given its potential benefits in obesity and related diseases, bariatric surgery holds promise for promoting value-based healthcare for HF.

Keywords: Costs; Gastric bypass; Heart failure; Outcomes; Sleeve gastrectomy.

MeSH terms

Adult
Bariatric Surgery*
Heart Failure* / complications
Heart Failure* / surgery
Hospitalization
Humans
Obesity / surgery
Obesity, Morbid* / complications
Obesity, Morbid* / surgery
Retrospective Studies
United States / epidemiology