Abstract 9967: Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Introduction: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased cardiovascular risk. Data about outcomes after cardiac surgery are scarce. Hypothesis: We sought to evaluate early and late outcomes after cardiac surgery for patients with SLE during a 27- year period at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective review of the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database between 1993 and 2019 was performed. A total of 329 patients with SLE (median age, 62.4 years, and 68.4% females) had undergone cardiac surgery. Patients’ characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with mortality. Results: Incidence of cardiac surgery in patients with SLE has steadily increased with time (0.8% from 1993-2000, 0.9% from 2001-2010, 1.4% from 2011-2019). Of 329 patients, 166 patients (50.5%) had valve surgery, 82 patients (24.9%) had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 48 patients (14.6%) had CABG + valve surgery, and 24 patients (7.3%) had pericardiectomy or pericardial window +/- others procedures. Patients with SLE were more likely to be females, white, older, and have hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, prior myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. The requirement of corticosteroids occurred in 91% of patients. The status of surgery was urgent or emergent in 20% of patients. Operative mortality was 4.6% and length of hospital stay was 6.1 days [IQR, 5.1, 9.2]. Overall long-term survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 89%, 73% and 52%, respectively (Figure). Older age, re-operative dialysis, chronic lung disease, prior cardiac surgery, and dialysis required after surgery were strongly associated with long-term mortality. Conclusion: Cardiac surgery in SLE patients can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. These data are beneficial in risk stratification of patients with SLE referred for cardiac surgery.