Gender profiling in coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE

Although women are reported to be at increased risk of poor outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting, female gender may simply be a marker of a high-risk profile. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the difference between the female and male profiles of patients presenting for coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

From January 1993 to June 2002, 15,597 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at a single institution. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a model of female gender.

RESULTS

Of 15,597 patients, 3596 (23%) were women. Eighteen variables were predictive of the female gender profile, including shorter stature, increased weight, more hypertension, insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and higher triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Hematocrit, bilirubin, and creatinine values were lower in women compared with men.

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative profiles of women and men undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting are dissimilar. Statistical modeling techniques provide a unique perspective on the preoperative profile of the female patient, who is known to be at a higher risk undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.