PREDICTORS OF DEATH DURING 5 YEARS AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-GRAFTING

Aim: To describe predictors of death during five years of follow-up af ter coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: All patients who underwent CABG during a period of three years in Western Sweden were i ncluded in the analysis and were prospectively followed for five years . Mortality was related to preoperative and peroperative factors as we ll as findings at physical examination and medication 4-7 days after t he operation. Results: In all 2121 patients underwent CABG without sim ultaneous valve surgery during the study period. The overall five-year mortality was 14.6%. The following appeared as independent predictors of death during five years but >30 days after CABG: Current smoking ( relative risk ratio 2.43 [95% Ci 1.64-3.61]) degree of impairment of l eft ventricular function (1.51 [1.23-1.86]), a history of congestive h eart failure (1.91 [1.35-2.70]), age (1.04 [1.02-1.06]) arrhythmia 4-7 days after CABG (1.89 [1.26-2.83]), intermittent claudication (1.73 [ 1.19-2.52]), a history of diabetes (1.71 [1.16-2.51]), time in respira tor (1.43 [1.13-1.81]), a history of cerebrovascular disease (1.72 [1. 13-2.64]), treatment with digitalis at day 4-7 (1.48 [1.07-2.05]), enz yme release (1.49 [1.03-2.16]). Conclusion: Among patients who underwe nt CABG 11 independent predictors for mortality were found including s moking habits at CABG, history of cardiovascular diseases, left ventri cular dysfunction, age, post operative complications and medication af ter CABG. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.