Around 43% of individuals in the United States and Canada have used cannabis.
Previous studies suggest cannabis use has effects on the cardiovascular system, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
In a study from Michigan Medicine, scientists found the use of cannabis may have a negative impact on outcomes for common bypass surgery.
They analyzed more than 11,000 cases to review patient cannabis use and postoperative outcomes for lower extremity bypass after 30 days and one year.
The minimally invasive procedure, also called a peripheral artery bypass, involves detouring blood around a narrowed or blocked artery in one of the legs with a vein or synthetic tube.
The team found that patients who used cannabis prior to lower extremity bypass had decreased patency, meaning the graft had a higher chance of becoming blocked or occluded and were 1.25 times more likely to require amputation one year after surgery.
Cannabis users were also 1.56 times more likely to use opioids after discharge.
The findings showed a need for screening for cannabis use and open conversations between patients and clinicians to help inform preoperative risk assessment and decision-making for lower extremity bypass.
The team says while its exact mechanisms are unclear, cannabis and its active compounds play a role in platelet function and microcirculation that may lead to decreased rates of limb salvage after lower extremity bypass.
While the future study is needed to further understand cannabis’ full effect on outcomes, researchers say the findings will help clinicians counsel patients who are undergoing vascular surgery.
Given the increase in cannabis use and abuse in conjunction with the opioid epidemic, the results suggest a need for a better understanding of pain management for cannabis users who are having vascular surgery.
If you care about health, please read studies that cannabis may contain heavy metals and harm your health, and cannabis use disorder is linked to more heart attacks.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about the cause of severe inflammation in COVID-19, and results showing this drug duo may help cure COVID-19.
The study was conducted by Peter Henke et al and published in the Annals of Vascular Surgery.
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