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While heart bypass surgeries have become safer over the years, recent research indicates that not everyone benefits equally. A new study has found that Black patients face a 22 per cent higher risk of dying in the hospital after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a common heart procedure.

Dr Vinicius Moreira, the lead author and chief anesthesiology resident at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, presented these findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Philadelphia. He showed the alarming statistics, stating, "Black patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery experience higher rates of severe postoperative complications, including death and cardiac arrest. These findings call for urgent action from healthcare systems and governments."

The study analyzed data from over 1.2 million patients in the United States who had bypass surgery between 2016 and 2021. Among these patients, 76 per cent were white, 7.4 per cent were Hispanic, and 6.75 per cent were Black. On average, Black patients undergoing the procedure were younger, around 63 years old, compared to 77 years old for white patients. Despite their younger age, Black patients were more likely to experience fatal outcomes post-surgery.

According to the study, 3.2 per cent of Black patients died soon after their operation, compared to 2.4 per cent of white patients and 2.5 per cent of Hispanic patients. In addition to the increased risk of death, Black patients were 23 per cent more likely to suffer cardiac arrest following surgery. The length of hospital stays also varied, with Black patients staying an average of 11.8 days compared to 9.6 days for white patients and 10.7 days for Hispanic patients.

These extended hospital stays resulted in higher medical costs. The study found that the average hospital bill for a Black patient was $23,000 higher than that for a white patient. Hispanic patients faced even steeper costs, with bills averaging $78,000 more than their white counterparts.

Dr Moreira also emphasized the gap in access to surgery. "We found that compared to white patients, a lower proportion of Black patients had bypass surgery when it was indicated," he noted. This raises concerns about potential barriers to care that minority groups may face in accessing life-saving procedures.

The study calls for modern healthcare policies to address these disparities by improving the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic conditions that disproportionately affect Black and minority populations. Dr Moreira suggested that healthcare providers could develop better preventive measures to reduce the risk of complications for higher-risk patients, such as addressing obesity, which is a known factor in postoperative complications.

Although the study's findings were presented at a medical conference and are yet to be peer-reviewed, they show the need for action to bridge the healthcare gap and ensure equitable treatment outcomes for all. Reducing health disparities in cardiovascular care, particularly for minority groups, is a crucial step towards achieving better long-term health outcomes.

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