What are the long-term outcomes of coronary-artery bypass grafting versus stent implantation?
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing coronary artery bypass grafting with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty found that CABG resulted in improved outcomes compared to stent implantation at one- to eight-year follow-up. Specifically, CABG was associated with lower mortality, lower risk of myocardial infarction, and lower need for repeat revascularization. These findings were consistent across studies with both diabetic and non-diabetic patients with left main and/or three vessel coronary artery disease. (Hoffman et al., 2005; Hannan et al., 2005). 