Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Highlights. Despite high hospital mortality after coronary bypass grafting in patients with high-risk non–STsegment elevation acute coronary syndrome, surgical myocardial revascularization remains a preferable treatment modality since percutaneous coronary intervention in these patients is associated with high perioperative complications due to severely calcified coronary lesions. Background. The optimal revascularization strategy in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) remains the subject of many years of controversy. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves the long-term prognosis through complete revascularization, however, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), due to its availability and low invasiveness, suggests an improvement in hospital outcomes. Aim. To compare hospital outcomes of CABG and PCI performed within 24 hours in high-risk NSTE-ACS patients. Methods. In the present study, the first group included 30 NSTE-ACS patients who underwent CABG in the first 24 hours (the CABG group), whereas 30 NSTE-ACS patients who underwent PCI were included in the second group (the PCI group). Results. The mean age was 64,4±7,3 years, it was comparable in both groups. The main clinical and anamnestic characteristics of patient in both groups were comparable as well. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis according to the Syntax score was 25,6±9,2 in the CABG group, and 21,7±5,7 in the PCI group (p = 0,054). After revascularization, the residual Syntax score did not differ between the groups (p = 0,42), indicating complete revascularization. Hospital mortality was relatively high in the CABG group (13,3%), while no such cases were noted in the PCI group. Most of the patients with adverse outcomes had a critical lesion of the left main coronary artery and a complicated postoperative course. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate promising outcome of CABG in patients with severe multivessel coronary disease at high risk of adverse events.