In a pioneering study, researchers quantified the environmental impact of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and the subsequent admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Their findings, published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, offer a roadmap for reducing healthcare’s ecological footprint. They focus on minimising disposable materials and improving energy efficiency.
Every year, approximately 7,000 to 8,000 individuals in the Netherlands undergo heart bypass surgery.
This procedure utilises blood vessels from other parts of the body to reroute blood flow around blocked coronary arteries.
Following the operation, patients require intensive care to ensure a successful recovery.
However, these procedures have a substantial environmental impact, especially regarding waste generation and energy use.
The researchers from Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), led by Egid van Bree, a medical researcher at Radboudumc, meticulously analysed the entire care pathway of patients undergoing bypass surgery.
He said: ‘It’s like piecing together a large jigsaw puzzle. We examine each component of the care process, from the materials used to the energy required.’
The team’s life cycle assessment revealed that the environmental cost of treating a single patient undergoing bypass surgery could amount to as much as 414 kilograms of CO2 emissions.
To put this into perspective, this is roughly the same as the carbon footprint generated by driving a car 3,000km – from the Netherlands to Morocco.
The research team identified several pivotal areas where sustainability efforts could significantly reduce the environmental impact of bypass surgeries.
Disposable surgical materials – such as drapes, gowns, cotton gauze, and gloves – contribute significantly to waste and CO2 emissions.
By switching to more sustainable alternatives, like washable drapes and gowns, healthcare facilities can help curb this impact.
Energy consumption, particularly in managing air handling units, was another area where reductions could be made.
Hospitals could lower their ecological footprint by optimising these systems and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Additionally, the disposable set for the heart-lung machine, which contains approximately six kilograms of plastic, was identified as a major environmental concern.
Although no alternatives are currently available, the researchers emphasize that this remains a critical area for future innovation.
While the study provides critical insights into the environmental footprint of bypass surgery and ICU care, it also serves as a call to action for the healthcare sector.
Radboudumc is already taking steps to reduce its environmental impact, with initiatives underway to optimise air handling systems and reduce reliance on disposable materials.
Tim Stobernack, a sustainability researcher at Radboudumc, highlights the challenges of implementing such changes across the broader healthcare system.
He explains that the goal is to eventually share findings on reducing the environmental footprint of other medical procedures, such as eye surgeries, emergency room care, and ICU admissions for different patients.
