Incidence of postoperative complications among coronary artery bypass patients with and without hypertension.

Patients (n = 3301) undergoing first-time elective coronary artery bypass surgery, between 1994 and 2000, with or without hypertension were compared for the incidence of postoperative complications. Fifty-five leg infections were documented (overall incidence 1.7%). Hypertension patients had a significantly increased risk of leg infections (2.45% versus 0.46%). A 10-year increase in age was associated with a 44% increased risk of leg infections (odds ratio = 1.44; 95% confidence interval = 1.09, 1.91). Hypertension patients also had a greater risk of stroke and prolonged ventilation time but not of postoperative mortality.