Optimizing cardiac surgery outcomes in morbid obesity: Surgical, anesthetic, perfusion, and critical care considerations, a narrative review

Introduction

The global prevalence of morbid obesity is increasing, presenting challenges in cardiac surgery. Morbid obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) is associated with a high burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities and obesity-specific physiological alterations that increase perioperative risk and complicate surgical, anesthetic, and cardiopulmonary bypass management. As the number of obese patients presenting for cardiac surgery rises, a synthesis of current evidence and perioperative strategies is needed to optimize outcomes in this high-risk population.