4th Edition 2026

Heart Surgery Delays in Women Linked to One-Size-Fits-All Clinical Criteria

Published on: Feb 06, 2026

Researchers have found that commonly used size thresholds for cardiac surgery may disadvantage women, as these criteria often fail to account for smaller female cardiac anatomy.

Studies from the University of Michigan show that women frequently present with severe heart disease at smaller anatomical dimensions but are less likely to receive timely surgical intervention. In conditions such as tricuspid valve regurgitation and aortic dissection, women were found to experience serious complications at sizes below the standard surgical cutoffs, which are largely based on male anatomy.

These findings suggest that relying on absolute, one-size-fits-all measurements may delay treatment for women and contribute to poorer outcomes. Researchers emphasize the need for sex-specific or body-size–adjusted surgical guidelines to ensure earlier intervention and reduce longstanding disparities in cardiovascular care.

Source: https://medschool.umich.edu/health-lab-podcast/delays-heart-surgery-women-due-one-size-fits-all-criteria

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