Comparing the long-term outcomes in chronic coronary syndrome patients with prior ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: findings from the TIGRIS registry.

OBJECTIVES: Compared with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients have more comorbidities and extensive coronary artery disease. Contemporary comparative data on the long-term prognosis of stable post-myocardial infarction subtypes are needed. DESIGN: Long-Term rIsk, clinical manaGement and healthcare Resource utilisation of stable coronary artery dISease (TIGRIS) was a multinational, observational and longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Patients were enrolled from 350 centres, with >95% coming from cardiology practices across 24 countries, from 19 June 2013 to 31 March 2017. PARTICIPANTS: This study enrolled 8277 stable patients 1-3 years after myocardial infarction with ≥1 additional risk factor. OUTCOME MEASURES: Over a 2 year follow-up, cardiovascular events and deaths and self-reported health using the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire score were recorded. Relative risk of clinical events and health resource utilisation in STEMI and NSTEMI patients were compared using multivariable Poisson regression models, adjusting for prognostically relevant patient factors. RESULTS: Of 7752 patients with known myocardial infarction type, 46% had NSTEMI; NSTEMI patients were older with more comorbidities than STEMI patients. NSTEMI patients had significantly poorer self-reported health and lower prevalence of dual antiplatelet therapy at hospital discharge and at enrolment 1-3 years later. NSTEMI patients had a higher incidence of combined myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death (5.6% vs 3.9%, p<0.001) and higher all-cause mortality (4.2% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) compared with STEMI patients. Risks were attenuated after adjusting for other patient characteristics. Health resource utilisation was higher in NSTEMI patients, although STEMI patients had more cardiologist visits. CONCLUSIONS: Post-NSTEMI chronic coronary syndrome patients had a less favourable risk factor profile, poorer self-reported health and more adverse cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up than individuals post STEMI. Efforts are needed to recognise the risks of stable patients after NSTEMI and optimise secondary prevention and care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01866904.

Determinants of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy use in post myocardial infarction patients: Insights from the TIGRIS registry.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) use beyond 1 year post-myocardial infarction (MI) have not been well studied. METHODS: TIGRIS (NCT01866904) was a prospective, multi-center (369 centers in 24 countries), observational study of patients 1 to 3 years post-MI. We sought to identify the prevalence and determinants of DAPT use ≥1 year post-MI in patients enrolled in TIGRIS. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify determinants of DAPT use at 396 days post-MI (365 days plus a 31day overrun period to account for intended DAPT discontinuation at 1 year). Patients treated with an oral anticoagulant were excluded. RESULTS: Of 7708 patients (median age 67 years, women 25%, ST-elevation MI 50%), 39% and 16% were on DAPT at 396 days and 5 years post-MI, respectively. DAPT use at 396 days post-MI was more prevalent in patients <65 years of age, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (versus coronary artery bypass grafting or medical therapy), and with multivessel disease or a history of angina. Additional clinical determinants of ischemic and/or bleeding events following MI (diabetes, second prior MI, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, smoking, and renal insufficiency) were not independently associated with DAPT use at 396 days. There were geographic variations in the use of DAPT at 396 days (p<0.001), with the lowest use in Europe and the highest in Asia and Australia. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary patient cohort, DAPT use beyond 1 year post MI was prevalent and associated with patient and index event characteristics. There were marked geographical variations in DAPT use beyond 1 year post MI.

Diabetes association with self-reported health, resource utilization, and prognosis post-myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. We compared health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and clinical outcomes of stable post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients with and without DM. HYPOTHESIS: In post-MI patients, DM is associated with worse HRQoL, increased HRU, and worse clinical outcomes. METHODS: The prospective, observational long-term risk, clinical management, and healthcare Resource utilization of stable coronary artery disease study obtained data from 8968 patients aged ≥50 years 1 to 3 years post-MI (369 centers; 25 countries). Patients with ≥1 of the following risk factors were included: age ≥65 years, history of a second MI >1 year before enrollment, multivessel coronary artery disease, creatinine clearance ≥15 and <60 mL/min, and DM treated with medication. Self-reported health status was assessed at baseline, 1 and 2 years and converted to EQ-5D scores. The main outcome measures were baseline HRQoL and HRU during follow-up. RESULTS: DM at enrollment was 33% (2959 patients, 869 insulin treated). Mean baseline EQ-5D score (0.86 vs 0.82; P < .0001) was higher; mean number of hospitalizations (0.38 vs 0.50, P < .0001) and mean length of stay (LoS; 9.3 vs 11.5; P = .001) were lower in patients without vs with DM. All-cause death and the composite of CV death, MI, and stroke were significantly higher in DM patients, with adjusted 2-year rate ratios of 1.43 (P < .01) and 1.55 (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Stable post-MI patients with DM (especially insulin treated) had poorer EQ-5D scores, higher hospitalization rates and LoS, and worse clinical outcomes vs those without DM. Strategies focusing specifically on this high-risk population should be developed to improve outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01866904 (https://clinicaltrials.gov).

Extent of coronary artery disease and outcomes after ticagrelor administration in patients with an acute coronary syndrome: Insights from the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial.

BACKGROUND: Extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with higher risk. In this substudy of the PLATO trial, we examined the effects of randomized treatment on outcome events and safety in relation to the extent of CAD. METHODS: Patients were classified according to presence of extensive CAD (defined as 3-vessel disease, left main disease, or prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery). The trial's primary and secondary end points were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Among 15,388 study patients for whom the extent of CAD was known, 4,646 (30%) had extensive CAD. Patients with extensive CAD had more high-risk characteristics and experienced more clinical events during follow-up. They were less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (58% vs 79%, P < .001) but more likely to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (16% vs 2%, P < .001). Ticagrelor, compared with clopidogrel, reduced the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in patients with extensive CAD (14.9% vs 17.6%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.85 [0.73-0.98]) similar to its reduction in those without extensive CAD (6.8% vs 8.0%, HR 0.85 [0.74-0.98], Pinteraction = .99). Major bleeding was similar with ticagrelor vs clopidogrel among patients with (25.7% vs 25.5%, HR 1.02 [0.90-1.15]) and without (7.3% vs 6.4%, HR 1.14 [0.98-1.33], Pinteraction = .24) extensive CAD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with extensive CAD have higher rates of recurrent cardiovascular events and bleeding. Ticagrelor reduced ischemic events to a similar extent both in patients with and without extensive CAD, with bleeding rates similar to clopidogrel.

Effect of ticagrelor on the outcomes of patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: insights from the PLATelet inhibition and patient outcomes (PLATO) trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) who present with an acute coronary syndrome have a high risk for recurrent events. Whether intensive antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor might be beneficial compared with clopidogrel is unknown. In this substudy of the PLATO trial, we studied the effects of randomized treatment dependent on history of CABG. METHODS: Patients participating in PLATO were classified according to whether they had undergone prior CABG. The trial's primary and secondary end points were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Of the 18,613 study patients, 1,133 (6.1%) had prior CABG. Prior-CABG patients had more high-risk characteristics at study entry and a 2-fold increase in clinical events during follow-up, but less major bleeding. The primary end point (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) was reduced to a similar extent by ticagrelor among patients with (19.6% vs 21.4%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.91 [0.67, 1.24]) and without (9.2% vs 11.0%; adjusted HR, 0.86 [0.77, 0.96]; P(interaction) = .73) prior CABG. Major bleeding was similar with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel among patients with (8.1% vs 8.7%; adjusted HR, 0.89 [0.55, 1.47]) and without (11.8% vs 11.4%; HR, 1.08 [0.98, 1.20]; P(interaction) = .46) prior CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Prior-CABG patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome are a high-risk cohort for death and recurrent cardiovascular events but have a lower risk for major bleeding. Similar to the results in no-prior-CABG patients, ticagrelor was associated with a reduction in ischemic events without an increase in major bleeding.

Ticagrelor enhances adenosine-induced coronary vasodilatory responses in humans.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine if ticagrelor augments adenosine-induced coronary blood flow and the sensation of dyspnea in human subjects. BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor is a P2Y(12) receptor antagonist that showed superior clinical benefit versus clopidogrel in a phase III trial (PLATO [Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes]). Ticagrelor has been shown to inhibit cell uptake of adenosine and enhance adenosine-mediated hyperemia responses in a dog model. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 40 healthy male subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of ticagrelor (180 mg) or placebo in a crossover fashion. Coronary blood flow velocity (CBFV) was measured by using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography at rest after multiple stepwise adenosine infusions given before and after study drug, and again after the infusion of theophylline. RESULTS: Ticagrelor significantly increased the area under the curve of CBFV versus the adenosine dose compared with placebo (p = 0.008). There was a significant correlation between ticagrelor plasma concentrations and increases in the area under the curve (p < 0.001). In both treatment groups, the adenosine-induced increase in CBFV was significantly attenuated by theophylline, with no significant differences between subjects receiving ticagrelor or placebo (p = 0.39). Furthermore, ticagrelor significantly enhanced the sensation of dyspnea during adenosine infusion, and the effects were diminished by theophylline. CONCLUSIONS: Ticagrelor enhanced adenosine-induced CBFV and the sensation of dyspnea in these healthy male subjects via an adenosine-mediated mechanism. (Study to Assess the Effect of Ticagrelor on Coronary Blood Flow in Healthy Male Subjects; NCT01226602).

Factors contributing to the lower mortality with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the differences in specific causes of post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) deaths in the PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) trial. BACKGROUND: In the PLATO trial, patients assigned to ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel and who underwent CABG had significantly lower total and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: In the 1,261 patients with CABG performed within 7 days after stopping study drug, reviewers blinded to treatment assignment classified causes of death into subcategories of vascular and nonvascular, and specifically identified bleeding or infection events that either caused or subsequently contributed to death. RESULTS: Numerically more vascular deaths occurred in the clopidogrel versus the ticagrelor group related to myocardial infarction (14 vs. 10), heart failure (9 vs. 6), arrhythmia or sudden death (9 vs. 3), and bleeding, including hemorrhagic stroke (7 vs. 2). Clopidogrel was also associated with an excess of nonvascular deaths related to infection (8 vs. 2). Among factors directly causing or contributing to death, bleeding and infections were more common in the clopidogrel group compared with the ticagrelor group (infections: 16 vs. 6, p < 0.05, and bleeding: 27 vs. 9, p < 0.01, for clopidogrel and ticagrelor, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality reduction with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel following CABG in the PLATO trial was associated with fewer deaths from cardiovascular, bleeding, and infection complications. (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes [PLATO]; NCT00391872).

Does coronary artery bypass surgery improve survival?

OBJECTIVES: According to guide-lines, coronary bypass surgery improves survival in high risk patients. The evidence for this is more than 20 years old and may be questioned. Long waiting lists for coronary bypass surgery are detrimental but offer the possibility to compare the risk of death before and after surgery. We hypothesized that the risk of death is lower after bypass surgery than before the operation in high risk patients in a more recent cohort. DESIGN AND RESULTS: Death hazard functions were calculated by the use of Poisson regression scheduled for bypass surgery between 1 Jan 1995 and 31 July 2005. The analyses were performed in two states: 1) in the period after triage until admission for surgery during which optimal medication was intended and 2) after surgery and up to 11 years (corresponding to 57,548 patient years). The probability of death was calculated by entering individual risk profile data into the two multivariable functions. There were several significant differences between the hazard functions in the two states. All variables reflecting angiographic severity of coronary lesions indicated lower risk of death after bypass surgery. The risk associated with left ventricular impairment was lower after surgery (beta coefficients - 0.0546 vs. - 0.0234, p <0.001). Only one variable, age, indicated higher risk after surgery (which is also seen in a general population over time). The reduction of risk was dependent on preoperative risk with a large reduction when preoperative risk was high and vice versa. When preoperative risk was low, however, the risk increased due to surgical mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of death is lower after bypass surgery than before the operation in high risk patients. This is most likely explained by a prognostic gain from bypass surgery. The gain is largest in high-risk patients but small or absent in low risk patients.

Postoperative autotransfusion of mediastinal shed blood does not influence haemostasis after elective coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: The rationale of using autotransfusion of mediastinal shed blood after cardiac surgery is to preserve haemoglobin levels and reduce the need for allogenic blood transfusions. However, the method is controversial and its clinical value has been questioned. We hypothesised that re-transfusion of mediastinal shed blood instead impairs haemostasis after routine coronary artery bypass grafting and thus increases postoperative bleeding. METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive elective coronary artery bypass surgery patients (mean age 67±9 years, 77% men) were included in a prospective, randomised controlled study. The patients were randomised to postoperative re-transfusion of mediastinal shed blood (n=39) or to a group where mediastinal shed blood was discarded (n=38). Primary end point was bleeding during the first 12 postoperative hours. Secondary end points were postoperative transfusion requirements, haemoglobin levels, thrombo-elastometric variables and plasma concentrations of interleukin-6, thrombin-anti-thrombin complex and D-dimer. RESULTS: Mean re-transfused volume in the autotransfusion group was 282±210 ml. There was no difference in postoperative bleeding (median 394 ml (interquartile range 270-480) vs 385 (255-430) ml, p=0.69), proportion of patients receiving transfusions of blood products (11/39 vs 11/38, p=0.95), haemoglobin levels 24h after surgery (116±13 vs 116±14 g l(-1), p=0.87), thrombo-elastometric variables, interleukin-6 (219±144 vs 201±144 pg ml(-1), p=0.59), thrombin-anti-thrombin complex (11.0±9.1 vs 14.8±15, p=0.19) or D-dimer (0.56±0.49 vs 0.54±0.44, p=0.79) between the autotransfusion group and the no-autotransfusion group. CONCLUSIONS: Autotransfusion of small-to-moderate amounts of mediastinal shed blood does not influence haemostasis after elective coronary artery bypass grafting.

Meta-analysis of comparative efficacy of increasing dose of Atorvastatin versus Rosuvastatin versus Simvastatin on lowering levels of atherogenic lipids (from VOYAGER).

Statins are the most commonly prescribed agents for lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Although dose-dependent reductions in levels of atherogenic lipids are observed with all statins, the impact of increasing dose has not been fully elucidated. An individual patient data pooled analysis was performed of 32,258 patients in studies comparing the efficacy of rosuvastatin with that of atorvastatin or simvastatin. The impact of increasing dose on lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B was investigated. Doubling the dose of each statin was accompanied by a 4% to 7% greater degree of lowering of all atherogenic lipids. A stronger correlation was observed between changes in LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol (r = 0.92, p <0.001) or apolipoprotein B (r = 0.76, p <0.001) than triglycerides (r = 0.14, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, baseline lipid level (p <0.0001) and increasing statin dose (p <0.0001) were strong predictors of achieving treatment goals in high-risk patients. Increasing age was a strong independent predictor of achieving goal for all atherogenic lipids (p <0.0001). Achieving LDL cholesterol goals was also more likely in women (p <0.0001), patients with diabetes (p <0.0001), and patients without atherosclerotic disease (p = 0.0002). In contrast, normal triglyceride levels were more often observed in men (p <0.0001) and patients without diabetes mellitus (p = 0.03). In conclusion, doubling statin dose was associated with greater lowering of LDL cholesterol by 4% to 6% and non-HDL cholesterol by 3% to 6%. Greater lipid goal achievement with increasing dose supports the use of high-dose statin therapy for more effective cardiovascular prevention.

Effect of statins on HDL-C: a complex process unrelated to changes in LDL-C: analysis of the VOYAGER Database.

The relationship between statin-induced increases in HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and statin-induced decreases in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is unknown. The effects of different statins on HDL-C levels, relationships between changes in HDL-C and changes in LDL-C, and predictors of statin-induced increases in HDL-C have been investigated in an individual patient meta-analysis of 32,258 dyslipidemic patients included in 37 randomized studies using rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin. The HDL-C raising ability of rosuvastatin, and simvastatin was comparable, with both being superior to atorvastatin. Increases in HDL-C were positively related to statin dose with rosuvastatin and simvastatin but inversely related to dose with atorvastatin. There was no apparent relationship between reduction in LDL-C and increase in HDL-C, whether analyzed overall for all statins (correlation coefficient = 0.005) or for each statin individually. Percentage increase in apolipoprotein A-I was virtually identical to that of HDL-C at all doses of the three statins. Baseline concentrations of HDL-C and triglyceride (TG) and presence of diabetes were strong, independent predictors of statin-induced elevations of HDL-C. Statins vary in their HDL-C raising ability. The HDL-C increase achieved by all three statins was independent of LDL-C decrease. However, baseline HDL-C and TGs and the presence of diabetes were predictors of statin-induced increases in HDL-C.

Symptoms of chest pain and dyspnoea during a period of 15 years after coronary artery bypass grafting.

AIM: To describe changes in chest pain and dyspnoea during a period of 15 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to define factors at the time of operation that were associated with the occurrence of these symptoms after 15 years. DESIGN: Prospective observational study in western Sweden. SUBJECTS: All patients who underwent first-time CABG, without simultaneous valve surgery, between 1 June 1988 and 1 June 1991. There were no exclusion criteria. FOLLOW-UP: All patients were followed up prospectively for 15 years. The evaluation of symptoms took place through postal questionnaires prior to and 5, 10 and 15 years after the operation. RESULTS: Totally, 2000 patients were included in the survey and 904 (45%) of them survived to 15 years. Among these 904 survivors, the percentage of patients with chest pain increased from 44% to 50% between the 5- and 15-year follow-up (p=0.004). The percentage of patients who reported symptoms of dyspnoea increased from 60% after 5 years to 74% after 15 years (p<0.001). Factors at the time of surgery that independently tended to predict chest pain after 15 years were higher age (p=0.04) and prolonged duration of symptoms prior to surgery (p=0.04). Predictors of dyspnoea after 15 years were higher age (p<0.0001), the use of inotropic drugs at the time of surgery (p=0.001), a history of diabetes (p=0.01) and obesity (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: After CABG, relief from chest pain and dyspnoea is generally maintained over a long period of time. Eventually, however, functional-limiting symptoms tend to recur and about half the patients report symptoms of chest pain, while three-quarters report dyspnoea after 15 years. Even if no clear predictor of chest pain was found at the time of surgery, age, the use of inotropic drugs, diabetes and obesity predicted dyspnoea.

Effectiveness of rosuvastatin in reducing LDL-C and target LDL-C goal attainment in real-world clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviewed the collective evidence from routine clinical practice to summarize the existing literature on the effectiveness of rosuvastatin in treating hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: A comprehensive Medline literature search identified all published articles, in all languages, from January 2003 through September 2008 on the use of rosuvastatin in the usual-care setting. The search identified 60 articles, and 16 articles were included in this review because they were observational and non-interventional and included sufficient data specific to rosuvastatin. Excluded articles were clinical trials, cost-effectiveness models, safety, reviews, pharmacokinetics, abstracts or editorials only, or all statins combined. Included rosuvastatin articles were categorized as (1) effectiveness in general population and (2) effectiveness in special populations (e.g., elderly, diabetes). RESULTS: Seven studies consistently showed that diverse patients from different geographic regions who were newly initiated on rosuvastatin had significantly greater reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (29-52%) compared with patients treated with other statins (16-43%). LDL-C goal attainment as recommended by National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III or European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines was consistently and significantly higher among patients treated with rosuvastatin (64-81%) compared with patients treated with other statins (34-73%). Rosuvastatin-treated patients with diabetes or HIV or who were elderly had significantly greater LDL-C reduction and LDL-C goal attainment compared with patients treated with other statins. LIMITATIONS: Channeling bias or confounding by indication may have influenced the results of the real-world studies, if physicians reserve rosuvastatin for sicker or more difficult to treat patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong and consistent body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of rosuvastatin in lowering LDL-C and LDL-C goal attainment in real life compared with other statins at commonly prescribed doses, which reflects the existing evidence from clinical trials.

Quality of life 15 years after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in quality of life (QoL) during 15 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and prediction of impaired QoL after 15 years. METHODS: All patients in western Sweden who underwent primary CABG without simultaneous valve surgery between 1988 and 1991 were included. QoL during a period of 15 years after CABG was evaluated with three instruments: the Nottingham Health Profile, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, and the Physical Activity Score. RESULTS: A total of 2000 patients took part in the survey, (none excluded) of whom 808 were still alive after 15 years and 79% answered the inquiry. Despite an ongoing decline in QoL over the years, an improvement in QoL was maintained in most sub-dimensions at the 15-year follow-up compared with that prior to surgery. Seven factors emerged as predictors of impaired QoL 15 years after CABG. They are as follows: (i) high age, (ii) female sex, (iii) history of diabetes, (iv) obesity, (v) prolonged stay in the intensive care unit, (vi) prolonged treatment on a ventilator, (vii) need for inotropic drugs at the time of surgery; of which the latter three might be secondary to left ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Despite an ongoing decline in QoL over the years, there was still an improvement in most aspects of QoL 15 years after CABG compared with that before surgery. Intensified early treatment of diabetes, obesity, and left ventricular dysfunction in CABG patients might allow an even better long-term QoL.

Symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea and factors associated with chest pain and dyspnea 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to describe (a) changes in physical activity and symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea during 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and (b) risk indicators for chest pain and dyspnea 10 years after CABG. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study in Western Sweden. The study includes all patients who underwent CABG without simultaneous valve surgery and with no previous CABG between June 1, 1988, and June 1, 1991. All patients were prospectively followed up for 10 years. Evaluation of symptoms took place via postal inquiries before, 5, and 10 years after the operation. RESULTS: In all, 2,000 patients participated in a survey evaluating chest pain and dyspnea during 10 years after CABG. The overall 10-year mortality was 32%. The proportion of patients with no chest pain increased from 3% before surgery to 56% 5 years after the operation and 54% after 10 years. There was only one predictor for chest pain after 10 years and that was the duration of angina pectoris before surgery. The proportion of patients with no dyspnea increased from 12% before surgery to 40% after 5 years but decreased to 31% after 10 years. The most significant predictors for dyspnea after 10 years were female sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high age, duration of angina pectoris, functional class before CABG, and number of days in intensive care unit after CABG. CONCLUSION: During 10 years after CABG, one third died. After 10 years, 54% of the survivors were free from chest pain and 31% were free from dyspnea. Predictors for chest pain and dyspnea could be defined and reflected age, history, sex, obesity, preoperative complications, and symptom severity.

Short-term sinus rhythm predicts long-term sinus rhythm and clinical improvement after intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Our aim was to compare the long-term effects on rhythm and quality of life (QoL) after left atrial epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation vs. no ablation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with ECG documented atrial fibrillation (AF) scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without concomitant valve surgery were consecutively elected for epicardial RF ablation. Thirty-nine age- and gender-matched patients scheduled for CABG with or without concomitant valve surgery only and with documented AF served as controls. The follow-up after ablation was 32 +/- 11 months. The percentage of patients in sinus rhythm (SR) at long-term follow-up was 62 vs. 33% (P = 0.03) after ablation and no ablation, respectively. SR at 3 months was highly predictive of that at 32 months (sensitivity 95%, positive predictive value 86%). Long-term SR was associated with better QoL, fewer symptoms, higher ejection fraction, and smaller left and right atria than AF. CONCLUSION: SR at 3 months was highly predictive of long-term SR that was associated with clinical improvement when compared with patients still in AF. AF at 3 months did not preclude a later stabilization to SR.

A simple score to assess mortality risk in patients waiting for coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Independent risk factors for death in patients waiting for elective coronary artery bypass surgery have previously been identified. A prioritization where these factors are considered may potentially reduce waiting list mortality. A simple score based on the risk factors was constructed and validated. METHODS: A scoring system based on risk factors in 5,864 consecutive patients operated from 1995 to 1999 was constructed. The following factors were included in the score: unstable angina (3 points [p]), left main stenosis (2p), concomitant aortic valve disease (2p), operative risk (0-2p), left ventricular ejection fraction (0-2p), and male gender (1p). The score was retrospectively validated in 5,167 new patients operated from 1999 to 2003. Based on the sum of risk score points, the patients were divided into three risk groups: low risk (0-2p), intermediate risk (3-5p) and high risk (> or = 6p). The risk groups were related to waiting list mortality and clinical priority (imperative, urgent, and routine). RESULTS: Median waiting time was 33 days. Forty-two patients (0.8%) died while waiting for surgery (5.2 deaths/100 waiting years). Of the patients, 2,406 (47%) were low risk, 1,990 (38%) intermediate risk, and 771 (15%) high risk. Mortality incidence in the high-risk group was fivefold higher than in the intermediate group and 25-fold higher than in the low-risk group (32, 7, and 1.3 deaths/100 waiting years, respectively, p < 0.001 between all groups). Twenty-three percent of the patients in the high-risk group had not been given imperative clinical priority. CONCLUSIONS: The score system identifies patients with increased risk of death while waiting for coronary artery bypass grafting. The score may be used to facilitate and improve the prioritization process.

Determinants for an impaired quality of life 10 years after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of an inferior quality of life (QoL) 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). SETTING: Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: All patients from Western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1988 and 1991 without simultaneous valve surgery and no previous CABG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaires for evaluating QoL 10 years after the operation. Three different instruments were used: The Nottingham health profile (NHP), the psychological general wellbeing index (PGWI), and the Physical Activity Score (PAS). RESULTS: 2000 patients underwent CABG, of whom 633 died during 10 years of follow-up. Information on QoL at 10 years was available in 976 patients (71% of survivors). A history of diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the two independent predictors for an inferior QoL with all three instruments. Furthermore, there were three predictors of an inferior QoL with two of the instruments: high age, female sex and a history of hypertension. A number of factors predicted an inferior QoL with one of the instruments. These were the duration of angina pectoris and functional class prior to CABG, renal dysfunction, a history of cerebrovascular disease, obesity, height, duration of respirator treatment and requirement of inotropic drugs postoperatively. In addition, when introducing preoperative QoL into the model a low QoL before surgery was a strong independent predictor also of an inferior QoL 10 years after CABG. CONCLUSION: Variables independently predictive of an impaired QoL 10 years after CABG, irrespective of the instrument used, were an impaired QoL prior to surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a history of diabetes. However, other factors reflecting gender, the previous history as well as postoperative complications were also associated with the QoL 10 years later in at least one of these instruments.

Waiting time and mortality after elective coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Limited resources for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) results in waiting times, prioritization between patients, and to mortality among the patients on the waiting list. Waiting time is an independent predictor for mortality on the waiting list, but it is not clear if the waiting time also influences outcome after CABG. METHODS: The study population was 5453 consecutive CABG patients who were prioritized at acceptance into three groups: imperative (CABG intended within 2 weeks), urgent (within 12 weeks), and routine (within 6 months). Postoperative mortality was compared between patients operated on within or after the intended waiting time in their respective groups. A multivariate Poisson regression model was used to further determine the effect of waiting time on postoperative mortality. Mean follow up was 24 +/- 15 months. RESULTS: Median waiting time was 55 days. Fifty-five percent of the patients were operated on within the intended waiting time. Postoperative mortality during follow-up was higher in patients operated on after the intended time (8.0 vs 6.2%, p = 0.014), but after correction for age, gender, operative risk, and angina symptoms, waiting time was not an independent predictor for postoperative death (risk ratio, 0.98 per waiting month; 95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 1.00; p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that mortality after CABG is not influenced by prolonged waiting time. The result does not exclude subgroups of patients that might benefit from a shorter waiting time.