Predicting short-term thromboembolic risk following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using supervised machine learning

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a widely recognized bariatric procedure that is particularly beneficial for patients with class III obesity. It aids in significant weight loss and improves obesity-related medical conditions. Despite its effectiveness, postoperative care still has challenges. Clinical evidence shows that venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of 30-d morbidity and mortality after RYGB. Therefore, a clear unmet need exists for a tailored risk assessment tool for VTE in RYGB candidates.

AIM

To develop and internally validate a scoring system determining the individualized risk of 30-d VTE in patients undergoing RYGB.

METHODS

Using the 2016–2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program, data from 6526 patients (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m²) who underwent RYGB were analyzed. A backward elimination multivariate analysis identified predictors of VTE characterized by pulmonary embolism and/or deep venous thrombosis within 30 d of RYGB. The resultant risk scores were derived from the coefficients of statistically significant variables. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating curves through 5-fold cross-validation.

RESULTS

Of the 26 initial variables, six predictors were identified. These included a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a regression coefficient (Coef) of 2.54 (P < 0.001), length of stay (Coef 0.08, P < 0.001), prior deep venous thrombosis (Coef 1.61, P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c > 7% (Coef 1.19, P < 0.001), venous stasis history (Coef 1.43, P < 0.001), and preoperative anticoagulation use (Coef 1.24, P < 0.001). These variables were weighted according to their regression coefficients in an algorithm that was generated for the model predicting 30-d VTE risk post-RYGB. The risk model's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.81], showing good discriminatory power, achieving a sensitivity of 0.60 and a specificity of 0.91. Without training, the same model performed satisfactorily in patients with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an AUC of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.62-0.64) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.75-0.78).

CONCLUSION

This simple risk model uses only six variables to assist clinicians in the preoperative risk stratification of RYGB patients, offering insights into factors that heighten the risk of VTE events.

Key Words: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; Venous thromboembolism; Machine learning; Bariatric surgery; Predictive modeling

Core Tip: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an uncommon but important cause of morbidity and mortality following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Clinical evidence regarding VTE risk stratification after RYGB remains limited. Using a multicenter database, this is the first retrospective cross-sectional study that used supervised machine learning to develop and internally validate a scoring system to assess the 30-d individualized risk of VTE post-RYGB. Our model uses only six preoperative variables, including a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, length of stay, previous deep venous thrombosis, hemoglobin A1c > 7%, prior venous stasis, and preoperative anticoagulation use. Our findings may help to improve clinical outcomes and procedural safety for patients undergoing RYGB.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that has numerous physical, psychological, and metabolic ramifications[1]. The World Obesity Atlas 2023 report states that 38% of the global population is currently overweight or obese, and the prevalence is projected to rise to 51% by 2035[2]. In the United States, the rates of severe obesity have increased from 1.5% in 1971/74 to 9% in 2017/20[3]. Recent advances in drug therapy have revolutionized obesity treatment, but anti-obesity medications may have questionable safety and inadequate efficacy for sustained weight loss[4,5]. Therefore, bariatric surgery procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy have gained preeminence over the past decade[6,7]. A systematic review of 26 studies showed that bariatric surgery may be a clinically and financially advantageous choice for patients with moderate and severe obesity when compared to non-surgical therapy[8]. Consequently, the number of bariatric surgery interventions has steadily increased over time[9]. According to estimates by the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, the total bariatric procedure numbers increased from 158000 in 2011 to 262893 in 2021[10]. Compared to conventional, non-surgical treatment of obesity, bariatric surgical interventions reduce the relative risk of death, clinically improve medical comorbidities, and result in long-term weight loss[11-17]. Despite extensive research on effectiveness and safety, there are certain complications linked to bariatric surgery procedures[18-20].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is an uncommon surgical sequela of bariatric surgery. However, it is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The rate of VTE in bariatric patients ranges from 0.3% to 2.4%[21-24]. In a meta-analysis of 71 studies based on 107874 patients, the < 30-d PE rate following bariatric surgery was 1.17%[25]. Although PE has an incidence of around 1%, it accounts for 40% of all 30-d postoperative deaths[26-28]. Therefore, it is one of the major causes of mortality after bariatric surgery. In an analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database, Mabeza et al[29] showed that bariatric surgery patients with VTE had a higher risk of mortality, an increased length of stay, and higher in-patient charges in their index hospital admission. Obesity is a hypercoagulability state, and it also leads to several systemic complications that may increase the risk of VTE[30]. Bariatric surgery involves several complex steps. Factors like long procedure durations, challenging surgery, the necessity for surgical reinterventions, and the need for blood transfusions may also increase VTE risk[31]. It is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, effective prognostication may help to avoid postoperative VTE in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

A number of assessment tools have previously been developed to predict the risk of VTE following bariatric surgery[32-37]. However, these models differ significantly in terms of high-risk criteria, predictive performance, and inclusion characteristics[38]. Furthermore, VTE risk factors may also vary based on bariatric surgery procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy or RYGB[39]. Recent developments in artificial intelligence offer a chance to improve the accuracy of risk stratification through effective analysis of large volumes of patient data. Recently, Hsu et al[40] developed a machine learning model that outperformed logistic regression in predicting postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding in bariatric surgery patients. However, machine learning has not been used in VTE risk prediction in bariatric patients. Therefore, to our knowledge, this is the first study to develop and internally validate a 30-d RYGB-specific VTE risk scoring system using supervised machine learning. Our model can help mitigate the risk of VTE by identifying modifiable precipitating factors, setting reasonable expectations, and promoting communication between patients and healthcare providers. Moreover, our findings could contribute to the available clinical evidence, thereby further refining the recommendations for perioperative VTE prophylaxis[41].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Design and data source

This retrospective cross-sectional study is based on the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)[42]. It is recognized as the most extensive global repository specifically focused on bariatric surgeries, covering procedures performed from January 2016 to December 2021[42]. All 885 certified centers specializing in bariatric surgeries contribute their complete data for every bariatric procedure. This data encompasses stages before, during, and after the operation, including existing patient conditions and 30-d postoperative results[42]. Identifiable information related to hospitals, patients, or physicians is unavailable due to privacy protocols. Our analysis is based on complete cases documented in the MBSAQIP registry. The database undergoes routine quality checks and removes centers with low 30-d follow-up rates (less than 80%) or more than a 5% rate of data discrepancies[42].

Population of interest

This research used data from the MBSAQIP database from 2016 to 2021. Patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m² who had undergone RYGB were identified. The event of interest was the occurrence of postoperative VTE, such as PE and/or DVT, within 30 d after the procedure. Consistent with prior research, cases including individuals under the age of 18, those with a BMI below the cutoff point, missing or miscoded data, and those who had undergone revision or conversion procedures were excluded[43]. Preselected clinical factors (only preoperative variables) were considered based on existing scientific insights and recent scholarly works[24]. The variables with incomplete data were omitted. A correlation assessment was conducted to screen all potential explanatory variables for collinearity (Supplementary Figure 1). Factors that demonstrated a correlation score above 0.7 were removed. The short list of risk variables included patient demographics, clinical factors, and laboratory results.

Statistical analysis

The "pmsampsize" command in the Statistical Software for Data Science (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX) was used to determine the smallest sample size needed to generate a novel multivariable predictive model with a binary result; the anticipated C-statistic was 0.80, and the possible inclusions for this new predictive model were numbered at 26. The required minimum sample size for the risk assessment was specified as 2108. A backward elimination multivariate regression model was employed to isolate the significant predictors of the 30-d VTE risk with a cutoff P value of < 0.05. This method zeroed out the coefficients of less important variables, effectively eliminating them. To estimate the model's predictive quality, a 5-fold cross-validation method was applied. It helps avoid overly optimistic performance evaluations in neglected cases[44]. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to judge the model's discriminatory power for 30-d VTE risk, with values ranging as described[45].

The match between the model-predicted and actual 30-d VTE risk was examined via calibration belt plots, enabling a visual comparison between expected and observed frequencies and the orientation of any miscalibration[46]. The plot included a calibration test to determine if any deviations from the line of perfect fit (bisector at 45 degrees) were significant[45,47]. Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis guidelines were followed in the development and validation of this prediction model[48].

Ethical considerations

The MBSAQIP is based on de-identified aggregated data with accepted privacy standards in accordance with the guidelines for human subject research. In order to comply with privacy regulations, the third party acquired and de-identified the data, ensuring that no individual could be recognized either directly or indirectly. We adhered to all ethical standards in utilizing this dataset for research purposes. Therefore, this study did not require institutional review board approval. Moreover, informed consent did not apply as the patient data were anonymized.

RESULTS

A total of 6526 patients were included in the present analysis. The demographic and clinical characteristics are outlined (Table 1). The 30-d VTE rate for RYGB cases was 0.84%. Six out of the 26 predictors were retained by the backward regression for predicting 30-d VTE, including a history of preoperative chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a regression coefficient (Coef) of 2.54 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57-3.51, P < 0.001], length of stay (Coef 0.08, 95%CI: 0.06-0.11, P < 0.001), a history of DVT (Coef 1.62, 95%CI: 0.31-2.92, P = 0.015), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 7% (Coef 1.19, 95%CI: 0.52-1.86, P = 0.001), venous stasis history (Coef 1.44, 95%CI: 0.40-2.48, P = 0.007), and preoperative anticoagulation (Coef 1.24, 95%CI: 0.01-2.48, P = 0.049) (Table 2).

Table 1 Baseline characteristic and clinical outcomes of included patients.

Factor	Value
N	6526
Postoperative VTE within 30 d (%)	49 (0.8)
Age, median (IQR)	44 (36.1, 52.81)
Age > 50 yr (%)	2083 (31.9)
Female gender (%)	5282 (80.9)
Preop GERD requiring medication (%)	2477 (38.0)
Preop history of MI (%)	67 (1.0)
Previous PCI (%)	140 (2.1)
Previous cardiac surgery (%)	48 (0.7)
Preop hypertensive requiring medication (%)	3340 (51.2)
Preop hyperlipidemia (%)	1691 (25.9)
Preop weight closest to bariatric surgery, median (IQR)	287 (256, 329)
Preop BMI closest to bariatric surgery, median (IQR)	47.61 (44.26, 51.75)
Preop vein thrombosis (%)	128 (2.0)
Preop venous stasis (%)	195 (3.0)
Preop requiring or on dialysis (%)	7 (0.1)
Preop renal insufficiency/CKD (%)	56 (0.9)
Preop therapeutic anticoagulation (%)	201 (3.1)
Previous foregut surgery (%)	710 (10.9)
Current smoker within 1 yr (%)	546 (8.4)
Preop history of COPD (%)	126 (1.9)
Preop obstructive sleep apnea	3196 (49.0)
Preop steroid/immunosuppressant use for chronic condition (%)	113 (1.7)
Preop history of IVC filter placement (%)	25 (0.4)
Preop history of DM (%)	2009 (30.8)
Preop albumin (g/dL), median (IQR)	3.9 (3.4, 4.2)
Preop serum creatinine (mg/dL), median (IQR)	0.77 (0.69, 0.85)
Preop hematocrit (%), median (IQR)	40.3 (37.7, 42.8)
Preop hemoglobin A1c > 7%	741 (11.4)

VTE: Venous thromboembolism; Preop: Preoperative; GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; MI: Myocardial infarction; PCI: Primary coronary intervention; CKD: Chronic kidney disease; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; IVC: Inferior vena cava; DM: Diabetes mellitus.

Table 2 The proposed prediction model for 30-d risk of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Variables	Regression coefficient	Standard error	t value	P value	95% confidence interval (lower)	95% confidence interval (upper)
Preoperative COPD	2.54	0.49	5.15	0	1.57	3.51
Length of stay	0.08	0.01	6.24	0	0.06	0.11
Deep vein thrombosis history	1.62	0.67	2.42	0.02	0.31	2.92
Hemoglobin A1c level	1.19	0.34	3.47	0	0.52	1.86
History of venous stasis	1.44	0.53	2.7	0.01	0.4	2.48
Preoperative anticoagulation use	1.24	0.63	1.97	0.05	0.01	2.48
Model constant	-5.77	0.28	-20.61	0	-6.32	-5.22

COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Using this multivariable model, a risk model was inferred based on the six factors weighted by their regression coefficients in the multivariable logistic regression model. It is represented by the following equation: VTE risk score = (2.54 × preoperative COPD) + (0.08 × length of stay) + (1.62 × previous DVT) + (1.19 × HbA1c > 7%) + (1.44 × venous stasis history) + (1.24 × preoperative anticoagulation use) - 5.77. The optimal cutoff point for the risk score was determined using the Youden index. This index maximizes the sum of sensitivity and specificity for each available cutoff and selects the maximum sum. For our risk score model, the optimal cutoff point was approximately -4.2 (high risk vs low risk).

With this cutoff, the model yielded a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 91%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.79 (95%CI: 0.63-0.80) (Figure 1). Without training, the same model performed satisfactorily in patients with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an AUC of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.62-0.64) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.75-0.78). The 95% and 99% confidence levels of the calibration belt plot indicated that there was no discernible miscalibration. At 95% confidence levels (the inner belt or light gray region) and 99% confidence levels (the outer belt or dark gray area), the predicted model probability matched the observed result rate (Figure 2).

Figure 1 Receiver operating characteristic curve with mean cross-validated area under the curve after 5-fold-cross validation. Area under the curve: 0.79 (95%CI: 0.62, 0.80). ROC: Receiver operating characteristic; CvAUC: Cross-validated area under the curve.

Figure 2 Calibration belt reporting no area of significant miscalibration at 95% and 99% confidence levels.

DISCUSSION

This is the first population-based study that used supervised machine learning to develop and internally validate a scoring system based on only six preoperative variables to assess the individual risk of VTE within the first 30 d post-RYGB. The variables included a history of COPD, length of stay, previous DVT, HbA1c > 7%, venous stasis history, and prior anticoagulation use. Our simple model could aid clinicians in the preoperative risk stratification of RYGB patients for VTE. It may constitute a crucial step to improve clinical outcomes and procedural safety for bariatric patients.

VTE, including PE and DVT, continues to be a significant concern for postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing bariatric surgery[49]. Existing data suggest that PE affects 0.3%-2% of bariatric patients, and DVT develops in 1%-3% of cases[50,51]. The majority of VTE events following bariatric surgery have been reported after hospital discharge but within the 30-d postoperative period[52]. A number of risk factors have been recognized, including a higher BMI, increased age, male sex, past instances of VTE, obesity-related hypoventilation issues, limited mobility, pulmonary hypertension, surgery duration, and procedure type[53,54]. However, a comprehensive understanding of the VTE risk profile in this setting remains elusive[33,55]. Currently, there is a limited evidence base to construct a risk-adjusted approach for VTE prevention after RYGB. Our study utilized a robust dataset of 6526 patients. A total of 26 variables were initially considered as potential predictors. Eventually, six variables were utilized to create the predictive algorithm. The resulting model exhibited a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 91%. This scoring system has pertinent clinical implications as part of a broader risk assessment strategy. Notably, the 30-d incidence rate of VTE following RYGB was 0.84% in our data.

Our study suggested that preoperative COPD is an independent risk factor for VTE after RYGB. A national study revealed that preoperative COPD may double the risk of pulmonary complications after surgery[56]. Lawrence et al[57] suggested that symptoms such as diminished breath sounds, extended expiration, decreased oxygen levels, and wheezing or rhonchi upon examination can elevate the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications sixfold. Furthermore, a study by Børvik et al[58] revealed that individuals with severe COPD might face an elevated risk of developing secondary VTE and have higher mortality rates in comparison to their counterparts without VTE post-surgery. Similarly, studies suggest the length of hospital stay as an important risk factor for the onset of VTE events in surgical patients[59]. Our investigation also indicated a heightened risk of VTE associated with a longer hospital stay among patients who underwent RYGB.

Previous VTE may serve as one of the predictors of thromboembolic complications in bariatric surgery patients. A case-cohort study revealed that patients who had surgery and were subsequently hospitalized following their initial VTE episode were at an increased risk of developing recurrent in-hospital VTE in comparison to those patients who had a VTE history but did not undergo surgery[60]. Furthermore, in a retrospective cohort study, Bahl et al[32] demonstrated that 4.2% of patients with a history of VTE developed recurrent VTE within 30 d of surgery. Nemeth et al[61] revealed that patients with a history of VTE undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries had a high risk of VTE recurrence at six months (hazard ratio, 8.4; 95%CI: 4.0-17.8). Similarly, Chao et al[62] also showed in their retrospective study that a history of VTE was the greatest driver of VTE post-bariatric surgery. Our results also validated these findings, as patients with a history of VTE were found to have a significantly increased risk of developing a recurrent VTE post-RYGB. Considering that VTE is a preventable cause of inpatient death and 60% of VTE incidents occur during or post-hospitalization, it is crucial to recognize the elevated risk of recurrence related to surgical procedures in patients with a prior history of VTE[63]. Previous research has demonstrated that venous stasis disease may also increase VTE risk in patients undergoing bariatric surgery procedures[64,65]. Furthermore, several studies revealed that patients on preoperative anticoagulation had a higher risk of VTE following bariatric surgery[66,67]. Our study also showed venous stasis and preoperative anticoagulation use as predictors of VTE in RYGB patients.

Studies evaluating the impact of glycemic control on the risk of VTE in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) showed marked heterogeneity. Some studies have identified a positive correlation between increased glucose levels and the risk of developing VTE[68,69]. However, Lerstad et al[70] found no such association in their multivariable analysis of a Norwegian population-based cohort. Notably, their results demonstrated that the risk of VTE climbed by 5% per one standard deviation (0.7%) elevation of HbA1c level[70]. In a case-control analysis, Charlier et al[71] suggested that women with type 2 DM with HbA1c levels above 7% might have a marginally elevated risk of unprovoked VTE compared to those with HbA1c levels between 6.5% and 7%. However, no studies have specifically delved into the occurrence of VTE and its related risk factors post-bariatric surgery in diabetic patients. Our findings indicate a statistically significant increase in VTE risk among patients with an HbA1c level exceeding 7%.

The use of stepwise backward regression in this study represents a departure from traditional logistic regression approaches, adding a layer of complexity and predictive accuracy. This method allowed for efficient variable selection, pinpointing the most relevant risk factors from a broad set of potential predictors. This streamlining is particularly valuable in clinical settings where quick and accurate risk assessment can have a significant impact on patient education and outcomes. A few studies in the literature, including randomized controlled trials, have used machine learning to predict VTE in patients with allogeneic transplants or coronavirus disease 2019[72,73]. However, no such study has been conducted to predict the risk of VTE among patients undergoing RYGB.

Sheikhtaheri et al[74] formulated a model using an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to forecast complications after one-anastomosis gastric bypass surgery within a 90-d timeframe. This model accounted for complications like bleeding, leakage at the anastomotic site, obstruction, an abscess within the abdomen, and PE[74]. The prediction model incorporated 32 factors, including age, BMI, smoking habits, and laboratory test outcomes[74]. Remarkably, the model showcased its peak accuracy (AUC score: 0.98) during the first 10 d post-surgery[74]. Similarly, Cao et al[75] utilized various machine learning methods to identify significant complications occurring within a month of bariatric surgery. Their study incorporated algorithms like decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting, support vector machine (SVM), and ANN[75]. The outcomes demonstrated model performances as follows: the decision tree achieved an accuracy of 92% with an AUC of 0.5, the random forest had 95% accuracy with 0.51 AUC, gradient boosting presented 96% accuracy with 0.58 AUC, SVM recorded 96% accuracy with an AUC of 0.5, and ANN reported 96% accuracy with a 0.54 AUC[75].

Cao et al[76] utilized ANN and convolutional neural network (CNN) models to forecast significant complications within 30 d post-bariatric surgery. They categorized serious complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification of grade 3b or above, which includes issues like anastomotic leakage, organ failure, or even death[76]. The effectiveness of each model was measured using accuracy and AUC metrics. Specifically, the ANN model achieved 84% accuracy with an AUC of 0.54, while the CNN model reached 95% accuracy with an AUC of 0.57 in predicting post-surgery complications[76]. Based on a cohort of 101721 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients, Wise et al[77] predicted a readmission rate of 3.1%, a reoperation and reintervention rate of 8.7%, and a mortality rate of 0.07% within 30 d following the procedure. Utilizing an ANN model, they identified an AUC of 0.59. Additionally, the following seven factors appeared to be necessary for the prediction of 30-d morbidity and mortality: Age, race, BMI, hypertension, DM, functional capacity, and a history of prior surgery[77].

The published research indicates that despite an increase in comprehensive studies on RYGB surgery, prediction of short- and long-term complications remains difficult. The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders have updated indications for bariatric surgery[78]. As a result, it is expected that the bariatric surgery procedure numbers will further increase. It underscores the clinical importance of a meticulous evaluation of all probable risk factors and a tailored algorithm to prevent complications. This is one area where supervised machine learning techniques might be particularly beneficial to reduce the risk of VTE after bariatric surgery. Our study shows that crafting an algorithm to evaluate the 30-d VTE risk following RYGB would enhance the understanding of related factors and equip the surgeon and the patient with the insights needed for informed decision-making.

Limitations

There are certain limitations to our study. The primary factor was the lack of exact predictors that could improve the accuracy of the risk model, such as hospital-level data. Moreover, gathering detailed data on specific procedures and center volumes posed additional difficulties. The applicability of our model to a broader global population might be restricted as the sample population only involved patients from North America. Nonetheless, it is important to highlight that the study used robust 5-fold cross-validation, reinforcing the reliability of the predictive model despite these limitations. More studies should aim to validate the model in a broader clinical context and potentially expand its application to other surgical procedures. It could serve as a VTE risk prediction tool for bariatric surgery patients, particularly in resource-limited settings. It is most effective when used as a part of a broader risk assessment strategy, where individuals who are classified as high-risk may also be subjected to additional confirmatory tests. Future studies could also explore improving the model's sensitivity without compromising its specificity.

CONCLUSION

This study utilized supervised machine learning to develop a preoperative risk stratification model for VTE in patients undergoing RYGB. Our simple risk model predicting 30-d VTE risk after the RYGB procedure incorporated only six variables, including a history of COPD, length of stay, prior DVT, HbA1c, a history of venous stasis, and preoperative anticoagulation use. This model has pertinent clinical implications as a preliminary VTE risk assessment method for RYGB candidates. Therefore, our results may help to avoid VTE-related morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Future population-based studies are warranted to externally validate our findings.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

The escalating global prevalence of obesity has prompted the advancement of various therapeutic interventions. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has established efficacy, particularly for class III obesity. However, despite its benefits, postoperative complications like venous thromboembolism (VTE) remain a significant concern due to their contribution to morbidity and mortality within 30 d post-surgery. This study addresses the critical gap in clinical risk stratification and predictive modeling for VTE post-RYGB.

Research motivation

This research is driven by the need to develop a simple and reliable RYBG-specific predictive model for VTE. The goal is to mitigate the 30-d morbidity and mortality associated with VTE by enabling clinicians to identify high-risk individuals through a validated scoring system, thereby guiding preventive strategies and optimizing patient management post-RYGB.

Research objectives

The primary objective of this study was to construct and internally validate a scoring system for the prediction of individualized VTE risk within 30 d after RYGB. By focusing on preoperative variables, the study aimed to deliver a practical tool for clinicians to enhance preoperative risk stratification and improve overall patient outcomes.

Research methods

Utilizing data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program database, this research used a backward elimination multivariate analysis to determine the predictors of VTE. The performance of the model was validated using receiver operating curves and 5-fold cross-validation.

Research results

Our study based on multivariate analysis identified six significant predictors: A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, length of stay, prior deep venous thrombosis, hemoglobin A1c, a history of venous stasis, and preoperative anticoagulation use, each quantified by robust regression coefficients. The derived risk model exhibited commendable predictive performance with an area under the curve of 0.79, sensitivity of 0.60, and specificity of 0.91. This model also demonstrated satisfactory predictive capability in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty populations.

Research conclusions

Our study concludes that the devised risk model, underpinned by supervised machine learning, constitutes a significant step forward in preoperative risk stratification for VTE. It provides a clinically relevant, evidence-based tool that simplifies the assessment process without compromising accuracy through backward elimination multivariate analysis. This approach distills a comprehensive variable set down to six critical predictors, advancing the precision of risk stratification for VTE post-RYGB. The innovation of this study lies in its machine learning-based algorithm, which demonstrates a significant improvement in the predictive accuracy of short-term thromboembolic complications when compared to traditional statistical models.

Research perspectives

Our model stands out for its simplicity and clinical applicability, potentially aiding in the preoperative assessment of VTE risk and the tailoring of prophylactic measures. Future research should focus on external validation of the scoring system across diverse populations and healthcare settings. Moreover, incorporating additional variables, such as perioperative data, may further refine the predictive capability of the model. Expansion to include other surgical procedures may also be considered, broadening the scope and impact of the research findings.