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Frail patients having vascular surgery during the early COVID‐19 pandemic experienced high rates of adverse perioperative events and amputation
Author(s) -
Aitken Sarah J.,
Allard Bernard,
Altaf Nishath,
Atkinson Noel,
Aziz Omar,
Battersby Ruth,
Benson Ruth,
Chambers Jennifer L.,
Charlton Gabriella,
Coleman Chloe,
Dawson Joseph A.,
Dean Anastasia,
Dhal Bedanta S.,
Fitridge Robert,
Gan John,
Hanna Joseph,
Hattam Andrew T.,
Hein Martin,
Hon Kay,
Khoo Samantha,
Kilby Joseph,
Kuang Beatrice,
Leong Kai Wen,
Lim Eunice,
Liu Juwei N.,
McClure David N.,
Mehta Shreya,
Moss JanaLee,
Muller Juanita,
Musicki Korana,
Nandhra Sandip,
Papanikolas Michael J,
Pineda Fernando Picazo,
Pond Franklin,
Ravintharan Nandhini,
Richards Toby,
Saeed Hani,
Selvaraj Christopher N.,
Singh Gurkirat,
Sivakumaran Yogeesan,
Stavert Bethany M.,
Suthers Elizabeth,
Tang Robert,
Varley Vincent C.,
Vasudevan Thodur M.,
Vo Uyen G.,
Wagner Timothy,
Wang Judy,
Wong Jackie
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.17810
Subject(s) - medicine , perioperative , amputation , vascular surgery , adverse effect , cohort , cohort study , odds ratio , prospective cohort study , surgery , emergency medicine , cardiac surgery
Background Frailty predicts adverse perioperative outcomes and increased mortality in patients having vascular surgery. Frailty assessment is a potential tool to inform resource allocation, and shared decision‐making about vascular surgery in the resource constrained COVID‐19 pandemic environment. This cohort study describes the prevalence of frailty in patients having vascular surgery and the association between frailty, mortality and perioperative outcomes. Methods The COVID‐19 Vascular Service in Australia (COVER‐AU) prospective cohort study evaluates 30‐day and six‐month outcomes for consecutive patients having vascular surgery in 11 Australian vascular units, March–July 2020. The primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes procedure‐related outcomes and hospital utilization. Frailty was assessed using the nine‐point visual Clinical Frailty Score, scores of 5 or more considered frail. Results Of the 917 patients enrolled, 203 were frail (22.1%). The 30 day and 6 month mortality was 2.0% ( n = 20) and 5.9% ( n = 35) respectively with no significant difference between frail and non‐frail patients (OR 1.68, 95%CI 0.79–3.54). However, frail patients stayed longer in hospital, had more perioperative complications, and were more likely to be readmitted or have a reoperation when compared to non‐frail patients. At 6 months, frail patients had twice the odds of major amputation compared to non‐frail patients, after adjustment (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.17–3.78), driven by a high rate of amputation during the period of reduced surgical activity. Conclusion Our findings highlight that older, frail patients, experience potentially preventable adverse outcomes and there is a need for targeted interventions to optimize care, especially in times of healthcare stress.