Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: Comparison Between Two Periods

Background Information showing risk factor trends in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft in Saudi Arabia is scarce. Thus, we aimed to compare cardiovascular risk factors among coronary artery bypass graft patients between two periods: 2012 and 2018. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on hospital records at a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia. The medical records of 72 patients in 2012 and 111 patients in 2018 were reviewed. The study included all patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting for the first time. The chi-square test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis; P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The mean (SD) of the patient age was 61.21 (9.74) years in the first period and 58.01 (11.14) years in the second period. The number of patients who smoked was significantly higher in the second period of the study (14.3% in the first period; 27.0% in the second period; P < 0.001). The study also showed an increase in hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the second period compared to the first (70% vs 71.2% and 68.6% vs 72.1%, respectively), and a reduction in the percentage of patients with hypercholesterolemia (18.3% vs 17.1%). However, these findings were non-significant. Conclusions The percentage of smokers was significantly higher in the second period of this research as a consequence of cultural variation and because of the popularity of water-pipe smoking in the society. We recommend the need for increased awareness regarding smoking and the implementation of smoking-cessation programs.