Does the Prognostic Nutritional Index Have a Predictive Role in the Outcomes of Adult Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Objective Malnutrition is known to affect postoperative outcomes, but only a limited number of assessment methods are available for evaluating nutritional status before cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) for adult cardiac surgery patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 374 patients over 18 years of age who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients were divided into two groups based on the cut-off PNI, and these groups were compared with respect to early morbidity and mortality rates, intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and long-term outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of early outcomes. Results The calculated cut-off value of the PNI was 46.13. Early mortality and morbidity were significantly more common in the high risk group (9.0% vs. 2.9%: P=0.02, 58.0% vs. 42.0%: P = 0.01). The median duration of mechanical ventilation support (18.0 vs. 16.0 hours: P Conclusions The PNI may be useful preoperative nutrition screening tool for predicting the early clinical outcomes of adult patients after cardiac surgery using CPB.