According to a study by Eagle et al, for patients 50-59 years old theres an operative mortality rate of 1.8% while patients older than 80, the risk is 8.3%. Other factors which increase mortality are: female gender, re-operation, dysfunction of Left ventricle and left main disease. In most cases, CABG relieves angina, but in some patients it reoccurs in a later stage of their lives. Around 60% of patient will be angina free, 10 years after their operation. Myocardial infarction is rare 5 years after a CABG, but its prevalence increases with time. Also, the risk of sudden death is low for CABG patients. Quality of life is also high for at least 5 years, then starts to decline.The beneficial effects of CABG are clear at cardiac level. LV function is improved and malfunctioning segments of the heart (dyskinetic-moving inefficiently or even akinetic-not moving) can show signs of improvement. Both systolic and diastolic functions are improved and keep improving for up to 5 years in some cases. LV function, and myocardial perfusion, during exercise also improves after CABG.
LIMA to LAD is performed in the operating theatre and other lesions are treated with PCI, either at the operating room, right after the anastomosis or serval days later. After the procedure
After the procedure, the patient is usually transferred to the intensive care unit, where they are extubated if it hasnt been done already in the operating theatre. The following day they exit the ICU, and 4 days later, if no complications occur, the patient is discharged from the hospital.A series of drugs are commonly used in the early postoperative period. Dobutamine, a beta agent, can be used to increase the cardiac output that sometimes occurs some hours after the operation. Beta blockers are used to prevent atrial fibrillation and other supraventricular arrhythmias. Biatrial pacing through the pacing wires inserted at operation might help towards preventing atrial fibrillation. Aspirin 80mg is used to prevent graft failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are used to control blood pressure, especially in patients with low cardiac function (<40%). Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is used for patients that radial artery was used as a graft.After the discharge, patients might suffer from insomnia, low appetite, decreased sex drive, and memory problems. This effect is usually transient and lasts 6 to 8 weeks. A tailored exercise plan usually benefits the patient. Results
CABG is the best procedure to reduce mortality from severe CAD and improve quality of life. Operative mortality relates strongly to age of patient.