Objective

ERAS incorporates multi-modal interventions that synergistically improve patient outcome. Its goals include improving patients functionally pre-operatively, reducing the stress of surgery intra-operatively to facilitate early return to daily activities. We conducted a pilot study at our unit.

Methods

14 patients under the care of 2 surgeons were included in the study. 10 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and 4 Tissue Aortic Valve Replacement (tAVR). All patients received pre-operative counselling by a dedicated ERAS Practitioner to manage expectations of the patient journey, health promotion and pre-operative optimisation advice. They were supplied with a Cardiac Patient Information Booklet which outlined the full patient journey and daily goals to meet for recovery.

Results

The mean age of the ERAS patients were 61.4±13.3 years. The median LOS 6 days (IQR=1). They spent 1 day less in HDU and on the wards compared to non-ERAS patients. The CABG patients had a shorter LOS, with median of 5.5 days vs 6 days for tAVR patients. 2 patients had complications unrelated to ERAS (Post-operative Ileus and pneumothorax secondary to line insertion).

Conclusion

The preliminary results for our cohort of ERAS patients showed ERAS pathway patients had a shorter HDU and in-hospital stay. This could be cost effective for health trusts and improve patient satisfaction.