The association of body mass index to postoperative outcomes in elderly vascular surgery patients: a reverse J-curve phenomenon.

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there is a relation between body mass index (BMI) classes and early postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing vascular surgery. We hypothesized that being overweight or obese increases the risks of surgery.

Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Data File was used to identify the BMI (kg/m(2)) and 30-day outcomes of 25,337 patients aged ≥ 65 years undergoing vascular surgery from 2005 to 2007.