Background: The association between obesity and the outcomes of surgery is
controversial. This study aimed to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on early
and late morbidity and mortality after valve replacement surgery.
Methods: The study was conducted on 100 valve replacement patients from 2020
to 2022. The patients were divided according to BMI into two groups: patients with
morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 35) (Group A: n = 50) and patients who had BMI< 35 (Group
B.; n = 50).
Results: Hospital (9.43 ± 5.93 vs. 7.25 ± 4.05 days, P= 0.034), ICU length of stay (7.32
± 5.67 vs. 4.52 ± 3.24 days, P= 0.003), and duration of mechanical ventilation (3.58 ±
2.54 vs. 2.342 ± 2.05 days, P= 0.008) were significantly higher in Group A. There was
no significant difference in postoperative mortality between both groups (P= 0.678).
There was no significant difference in morbidity and mortality after a 3-month
follow-up. Hemoglobin was significantly lower in Group A (P =0.034), with no
difference in postoperative laboratory investigations.
Conclusions: Morbid obesity was not associated with increased mortality after valve
replacement surgery; however, it could increase the duration of ventilation, ICU, and
hospital stay.