Circadian rhythm has no effect on mortality in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: The circadian variation that affects atherosclerosis has not been studied in the surgical patient. The circadian variation in mortality dependent on the time of surgery was examined in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: A 4-year retrospective review of all CABG patients (n = 3140) from 1999 to 2002 was undertaken.