Bariatric Surgery Outcomes in Patients on Preoperative Therapeutic Anticoagulation: an Analysis of the 2015 to 2017 MBSAQIP.

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been found to be an independent predictor of adverse cardiac and pulmonary embolic events. As the popularity of bariatric surgery grows, surgeons are encountering more patients taking therapeutic anticoagulation medications preoperatively. This study aims to assess the safety of bariatric surgery on these patients.

METHODS

Data was extracted from 2015 to 2017 using the MBSAQIP database. Included patients were those who underwent a primary LSG or LRYGB. A multivariable regression analysis was performed looking at 30-day outcomes for pre-operatively anticoagulated patients. A secondary propensity-matched analysis was performed comparing outcomes among patients undergoing LSG vs LRYGB.

RESULTS

A total of 430,396 patients were analyzed, 11,013 (2.56%) of which were taking anticoagulation medications pre-operatively. Absolute 30-day complication rates (8.73% vs 3.36%, p < 0.001), bleed rates (3.78% vs 0.88%, p < 0.001), leak rates (0.55% vs 0.41%, p = 0.021), cardiac event rates (0.43% vs 0.06%, p < 0.001), and venous thromboembolism rates (0.68% vs 0.25%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher among pre-operatively anticoagulated patients. On multivariable analysis, pre-operative anticoagulation was found to be an independent predictor of postoperative bleeding (OR 2.76, CI 2.43-3.14, p < 0.001) and mortality (OR 2.08, CI 1.49-2.90, p < 0.001). The LRYGB was associated with a significantly higher complication rate compared to the LSG (13.27% vs 7.40%, p < 0.001) in the propensity-matched cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing bariatric surgery on anticoagulation medications pre-operatively are at a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes post-operatively. Patients who require long-term anticoagulation should undergo careful consideration before proceeding with bariatric surgery.