Preoperative bioelectrical impedance, measured phase angle, and hand-grip strength as predictors of postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Postoperative problems are a major danger for patients after heart surgery. Predicting postoperative outcomes for cardiac surgery is limited by current preoperative evaluations. Handgrip strength (HGS) testing and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may provide extra ways to identify individuals at risk of surgical problems, enhancing risk assessment and results.

Objective

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the utility of measured phase angle (PA), HGS, and bioelectrical impedance as perioperative risk markers in adult patients undergoing elective heart surgery.

Method

The PRISMA principles were followed in this review. We searched all available electronic databases, including the Science Direct search engine and PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Science Direct search engine, from their creation to the present, as well as the medRxiv pre-print site. We considered studies with adult subjects undergoing elective heart surgery who were monitored for problems after surgery and had perioperative BIA and HGS testing.

Results

As a result, out of the 1544 pieces of research that were discovered, eight studies were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review and supplied data from 2781 people. The findings demonstrated a substantial correlation between poor preoperative PA and a higher risk of serious postoperative morbidity, as well as prolonged hospital stays. Furthermore, poor HGS and low PA were linked to greater death rates. Additionally, there was a strong correlation found between low PA and HGS and longer stays in the ICU, as well as an increased chance of dying from all causes in a year. In conclusion these results imply that preoperative HGS and PA may be significant indicators of postoperative results and may assist in identifying patients who are more vulnerable to problems and death.