Impact of olive oil consumption on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing open heart surgery: a randomized clinical trial
-
Reza Bahrami
Abstract
Introduction
The incidence of post-surgery outcomes, such as pain and constipation, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery can impact the healing process and the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of olive oil consumption on pain and constipation in adult coronary bypass surgery patients.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial in Qazvin, Iran (2022–2023) assigned 110 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery to two groups using four-block randomization. In the intervention group, patients received 30 cc of extra virgin olive oil daily with food from the day before the operation to 30 days after. The control group received usual care. Pain and constipation levels were measured before and after surgery and up to 30 days post-surgery using the visual pain scale (VAS) and Bristol stool form scale (BSFS).
Results
With similar background variables between the two groups, the results indicated that the average pain and constipation scores in the intervention group decreased more than in the control group (p-value < 0.05).
Conclusions
Based on the study’s findings and the positive impact of olive oil consumption on reducing pain and constipation, incorporating olive oil into the diet of heart surgery patients is recommended.
Acknowledgments
This study was approved as part of the nursing master’s thesis at Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Thanks to guidance, and advice from the “Clinical Research Development Unit of Baqiyatallah Hospital”. The authors hereby would like to extend their gratitude to all patients who participated in this study and appreciate it.
-
Research ethics: Ethics approval and consent to participate: Approval from the ethics committee with code IR.BUMS.BAQ.REC1401.014 was obtained prior to the study, and all patients provided informed consent. The randomization process and selection method were explained, and ethical guidelines for human research were followed.
-
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
-
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and consented to its submission to the journal, reviewed all the results, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
-
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflicts of interest.
-
Research funding: None declared.
-
Data availability: The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to ethical concerns; supporting data cannot be made openly available, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
1. Caliani, SE, Navas, JCB, Gómez-Doblas, JJ, Rivera, RC, Jiménez, BG, Lao, MM, et al.. Postmyocardial infarction cardiac rehabilitation in low risk patients. Results with a coordinated program of cardiological and primary care. Rev Española Cardiol 2004;57:53–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1885-5857(06)60087-X.Suche in Google Scholar
2. Vos, T, Lim, SS, Abbafati, C, Abbas, KM, Abbasi, M, Abbasifard, M, et al.. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet 2020;396:1204–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30925-9.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
3. Khosravi Shadmani, F, Farzadfar, F, Larijani, B, Mirzaei, M, Haghdoost, AA. Trend and projection of mortality rate due to non-communicable diseases in Iran: a modeling study. PLoS One 2019;14:e0211622. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211622.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
4. Sadeghi, M, Haghdoost, AA, Bahrampour, A, Dehghani, M. Modeling the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Iran from 2005 to 2025: the impact of demographic changes. Iran J Public Health 2017;46:506–16.Suche in Google Scholar
5. Devries, S. Chapter 26 - coronary artery disease. In: Rakel, D, editor. Integrative Medicine, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2018:253–63.e2 pp.10.1016/B978-0-323-35868-2.00026-8Suche in Google Scholar
6. Hosseinian, A, Kasayi, V, Mohammadzade, A, Habibzadeh, S, Saghi, F, Davari, M, et al.. Evaluation of early complications of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABGS) in the first month after operation in imam khomeini hospital of Ardabil during 2013-2014. J Ardabil Univ Med Sci 2014;14:18–27.Suche in Google Scholar
7. McNichols, B, Spratt, JR, George, J, Rizzi, S, Manning, EW, Park, K. Coronary artery bypass: review of surgical techniques and impact on long-term revascularization outcomes. Cardiol Ther 2021;10:89–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40119-021-00211-z.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
8. Liga, R, Colli, A, Taggart, DP, Boden, WE, De Caterina, R. Myocardial revascularization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: for whom and how. J Am Heart Assoc 2023;12:e026943. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.122.026943.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
9. Hussain, SMA, Harky, A. Complications of coronary artery bypass grafting. Int J Med Rev 2019;6:1–5. https://doi.org/10.29252/ijmr-060101.Suche in Google Scholar
10. Mali, S, Haghaninejad, H. Pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery. Arch Med Sci 2019;4:280–5. https://doi.org/10.5114/amsad.2019.91432.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
11. Haywood, N, Mehaffey, JH, Hawkins, RB, Zhang, A, Kron, IL, Kern, JA, et al.. Gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery: highly morbid but improving over time. J Surg Res 2020;254:306–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2020.02.019.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
12. Babamohamadi, H, Karkeabadi, M, Ebrahimian, A. The effect of rhythmic breathing on the severity of sternotomy pain after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Evid base Compl Alternative Med 2021;2021:9933876. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9933876.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
13. Mahjoubifard, M, Moeini, Y, Feizabad, E, Abdolrazaghnejad, A. The effect of paracetamol on the patient-controlled pain after coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized clinical trial study. J Pharm Care 2021:176–82, https://doi.org/10.18502/jpc.v9i4.8222.Suche in Google Scholar
14. Jannati, M, Attar, A. Analgesia and sedation post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a review of the literature. Therapeut Clin Risk Manag 2019:773–81. https://doi.org/10.2147/tcrm.s195267.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
15. Loria, CM, Zborek, K, Millward, JB, Anderson, MP, Richardson, CM, Namburi, N, et al.. Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery protocol reduces perioperative opioid use. JTCVS Open 2022;12:280–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjon.2022.08.008.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
16. Mehta, J, Bhavsar, M, Thomas, SM, Shah, P, Chauhan, D. Pain relief and post-operative outcome in patients receiving tramadol via thoracic epidural versus intravenous method in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol 2021;15:2620–8. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.14767.Suche in Google Scholar
17. Moradian, ST, Ghiasi, MS, Mohamadpour, A, Siavash, Y. Oral magnesium supplementation reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal complications following cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Magnes Res 2017;30:28–34. https://doi.org/10.1684/mrh.2017.0420.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
18. Rasmussen, LS, Pedersen, PU. Constipation and defecation pattern the first 30 days after thoracic surgery. Scand J Caring Sci 2010;24:244–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6712.2009.00713.x.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
19. Maru, P, Suneesh, P, Doss, K. A study to assess the effectiveness of honey warm water on level of constipation among patients undergone CABG with constipation in selected hospitals at Rajkot. Asian J Nurs Educ Res 2019;9:542–4. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-2996.2019.00116.2.Suche in Google Scholar
20. Schulz, P, Lottman, DJ, Barkmeier, TL, Zimmerman, L, Barnason, S, Hertzog, M. Medications and associated symptoms/problems after coronary artery bypass surgery. Heart Lung 2011;40:130–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2010.03.003.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
21. Alves, E, do Rosário Domingues, M, Domingues, P. Olive oil. In: Functional foods and their implications for health promotion. Amsterdam: Elsevier, Academic Press; 2023:97–129 pp.10.1016/B978-0-12-823811-0.00012-2Suche in Google Scholar
22. Ramos, CI, de Lima, AFA, Grilli, DG, Cuppari, L. The short-term effects of olive oil and flaxseed oil for the treatment of constipation in hemodialysis patients. J Renal Nutr 2015;25:50. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.07.009.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
23. Dinu, M, Pagliai, G, Scavone, F, Bellumori, M, Cecchi, L, Nediani, C, et al.. Effects of an olive by-product called pâté on cardiovascular risk factors. J Am Coll Nutr 2021;40:617–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2020.1813060.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
24. Visioli, F, Davalos, A, López de las Hazas, MC, Crespo, MC, Tomé‐Carneiro, J. An overview of the pharmacology of olive oil and its active ingredients. Br J Pharmacol 2020;177:1316–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14782.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
25. Bijur, PE, Silver, W, Gallagher, EJ. Reliability of the visual analog scale for measurement of acute pain. Acad Emerg Med 2001;8:1153. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2001.tb01132.x.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
26. Blake, M, Raker, J, Whelan, K. Validity and reliability of the Bristol stool form scale in healthy adults and patients with diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016;44:693–703. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13746.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
27. Farhangi, MA, Najafi, M, Jafarabadi, MA, Jahangiry, L. Mediterranean dietary quality index and dietary phytochemical index among patients candidate for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2017;17:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-017-0544-z.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
28. Bharucha, AE, Lacy, BE. Mechanisms, evaluation, and management of chronic constipation. Gastroenterology 2020;158:1232–49 e3. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
29. Deal, RC, Maningas, T, Bonnor, R, Fogleman, T. A novel treatment for opioid-induced constipation after abdominoplasty. Am J Cosmet Surg 2017;34:200–3. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748806817704848.Suche in Google Scholar
30. Nilsson, U, Jaensson, M, Dahlberg, K, Hugelius, K. Postoperative recovery after general and regional anesthesia in patients undergoing day surgery: a mixed methods study. J PeriAnesthesia Nurs 2018;34:517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2018.08.003.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
31. Morvaridi, M, Jafarirad, S, Seyedian, SS, Alavinejad, P, Cheraghian, B. The effects of extra virgin olive oil and canola oil on inflammatory markers and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Clin Nutr 2020;74:891–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-019-0549-z.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
32. Gholami, Z, Rahmani, A, Sepandi, M, Samadi, M, Moradian, ST, Nehrir, B. The effect of nutritional guidelines designed to prevent constipation in patients undergoing open heart surgery: a clinical trial. J Crit Care Nurs 2020;13:31–22.Suche in Google Scholar
33. Zubrzycki, M, Liebold, A, Skrabal, C, Reinelt, H, Ziegler, M, Perdas, E, et al.. Assessment and pathophysiology of pain in cardiac surgery. J Pain Res 2018:1599–611. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s162067.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
34. de Waard, D, Fagan, A, Minnaar, C, Horne, D. Management of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a guide for primary care practitioners. CMAJ (Can Med Assoc J) 2021;193:E689–4. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.191108.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
35. Bennett, SM, Hayes, JE. Differences in the chemesthetic subqualities of capsaicin, ibuprofen, and olive oil. Chem Senses 2012;37:471–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjr129.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
36. Motamedi Mohamad-Abadi, N, Haghighat, S, Tajmir-Riahi, M, Asgary, S, Eghbali-Babadi, M. The effect of aloe vera gel on saphenous vein harvest wound healing and local pain in non-diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery: a clinical trial. Shiraz E-Med J 2023;24:e122766. https://doi.org/10.5812/semj-122766.Suche in Google Scholar
37. Al Malty, A-M, Hamed, S, AbuTariah, H, Jebril, M. The effect of topical application of extra virgin olive oil on alleviating knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther 2013;7:6. https://doi.org/10.5958/j.0973-5674.7.3.055.Suche in Google Scholar
38. Shabrandi, S, Yousofvand, N, Zarei, F. Effect of dietary virgin olive (Olea europaea) oil on nociception and its effect on morphine-induced analgesia in Male mice using formalin test. J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2016;11:43.Suche in Google Scholar
39. Chiang, Y-F, Hung, H-C, Chen, H-Y, Huang, K-C, Lin, P-H, Chang, J-Y, et al.. The inhibitory effect of extra virgin olive oil and its active compound oleocanthal on prostaglandin-induced uterine hypercontraction and pain—ex vivo and in vivo study. Nutrients 2020;12:3012. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103012.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
40. Bitler, CM, Matt, K, Irving, M, Hook, G, Yusen, J, Eagar, F, et al.. Olive extract supplement decreases pain and improves daily activities in adults with osteoarthritis and decreases plasma homocysteine in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutr Res 2007;27:470–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2007.06.003.Suche in Google Scholar
41. Moreno, ML, Percival, SS, Kelly, DL, Dahl, WJ. Daily olive oil intake is feasible to reduce trigeminal neuralgia facial pain: a pilot study. Nutr Res 2024;123:101–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.01.005.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
