Surgical revascularisation of the acute coronary artery syndrome

Although the European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines provide some suggestions regarding coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the exact indications for surgery in this diverse spectrum of disease requires further clarification. ACS may present with different scenarios, from NSTEMI to cardiogenic shock. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the first-line treatment in most cases; however, there may be a subgroup of ACS patients in whom CABG may be preferred over percutaneous coronary intervention, particularly in the setting of triple vessel disease. CABG can be performed with reasonably low mortality and excellent outcome, particularly in the case of NSTEMI. Furthermore, off-pump or on-pump beating heart techniques may further improve the feasibility and outcomes of CABG. Where possible every patient should be immediately referred to a tertiary centre and evaluated by the 'heart team'. Here risk stratification and intervention according to the expert consensus may be rapidly implemented in order to improve both morbidity and mortality.