BACKGROUND:The aim of the present research was to evaluate the relationship between Mediterranean dietary quality index (Med-DQI) and dietary phytochemical index (DPI) with metabolic risk factors of cardiovascular disease in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study on 454 patients aged 35-80 years as candidates of CABG and hospitalized in Tehran Heart Center. Anthropometric and demographic characteristics were obtained from all participants and a 138-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate Med-DQI and DPI. Biochemical parameters including HbA1C, serum lipids, albumin, creatinine and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed by commercial laboratory methods. RESULTS:Patients with higher scores of "saturated fatty acids" had lower serum albumin concentrations (P < 0.05). High scores of "cholesterol" subgroup was also accompanied with higher serum Hb A1C percent (P = 0.04). Significantly higher concentrations of serum creatinine were also observed in categorizes with lower "fish" scores. Patients with lower phytochemical intakes had significantly higher Med-DQI scores. CONCLUSION:According to our findings, high dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol were associated with low serum albumin and Hb A1C concentration. Further studies are needed to better clarify these associations and possible underlying mechanisms.