II. Efficacy

  1. Graft patency after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
    1. Internal mammary graft stays patent in >90% for >10 years
    2. Saphenous vein graft patency is much more tenuous
      1. Year 2: 85% are patent
      2. Year 5: 75% are patent
      3. Year 8: 65% are patent
  2. References
    1. Loop (1986) N Engl J Med 314:1 [PubMed]

III. Precautions: PTCA as an alternative for Left Main Disease

  1. PTCA with DES may be a reasonable alternative to CABG in moderate coronary disease cases previously limited to CABG (e.g. Left main disease)
    1. For moderate left main disease, PTCA with DES outcomes over 10 years are similar to CABG outcomes
    2. PTCA is a safe, much less invasive procedure than CABG
    3. CABG has a higher rate of perioperative Cerebrovascular Accident
  2. Caveats
    1. CABG is associated with decreased Angina
    2. CABG is associated with a better outcome with severe left main disease or multi-vessel disease
    3. CABG has better outcomes when repeat revascularization is required
  3. References
    1. Rihal (2012) Mayo POIM Conference, Rochester

IV. Indications: Absolute Indications in Stable CAD

  1. Disabling Angina despite maximal medical therapy given acceptable surgical risk
    1. If atypical Angina, confirm cardiac ischemia is cause of symptoms
  2. Significant proximal LAD stenosis (>70%)
  3. Significant left main Coronary Artery stenosis
  4. One to two vessel CAD (without proximal LAD stenosis)
    1. LARGE area of viable Myocardium and
    2. High risk criteria on noninvasive testing
  5. Two vessel CAD
    1. Significant proximal LAD stenosis and
    2. Ejection Fraction (EF) <50% or ischemia on noninvasive testing
  6. Three vessel CAD
    1. Especially if Ejection Fraction (EF) <50%

V. Indications: Possible Indications in Stable CAD

  1. One vessel CAD and
    1. Proximal LAD Stenosis
  2. One to two vessel CAD (without proximal LAD stenosis)
    1. MODERATE area of viable Myocardium and
    2. Ischemia on noninvasive testing

VI. Indications: Avoid CABG in these patients (cases in which CABG is NOT recommended)

  1. Borderline Coronary Artery stenosis (<60%) not involving left main Coronary Artery and negative noninvasive testing
  2. Insignificant Coronary Artery stenosis (<50%)
  3. One to two vessel CAD (without proximal LAD stenosis)
    1. SMALL area of viable Myocardium and
    2. No ischemia on noninvasive testing and
    3. Mild symptoms unlikely to be ischemia or inadequate medical management trial

VII. Complications (based on STS Guidelines from 2008)

  1. Transfusion required: <50%
  2. Incomplete revascularization: <20%
  3. Major morbidity (e.g. CVA): <5%
  4. Mortality: <2%

VIII. Management: Perioperative Medications and Interventions to reduce readmission rates

  1. General
    1. Collaborate with managing cardiology team
    2. Adjust medications based on Renal Function, compliance, cost
  2. Aspirin
    1. Dose: 325 mg orally daily for one year, then 81 mg daily
    2. Start and continue 81 mg daily if comorbid bleeding risks
    3. Consider dual antiplatelet agents (Aspirin with Clopidogrel) for 1 year following MI (if low bleeding risk)
  3. Beta Blockers
    1. Start at least several days prior to CABG to reduce Atrial Fibrillation risk
      1. Titrate Heart Rate to 60 bpm as tolerated
    2. Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) preferred agents (best evidence)
      1. Metoprolol Succinate
      2. Carvedilol
      3. Bisoprolol
    3. Atrial Fibrillation WITHOUT HFrEF
      1. Any cardioselective Beta Blocker (e.g. Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Nebivolol)
    4. Duration
      1. Continue for 1 month following CABG at a minimum
      2. Continue for at least 3 years following Myocardial Infarction
      3. Continue indefinately for Systolic Dysfunction
  4. Statins
    1. High dose Statin (e.g. Atorvastatin 80 mg, Rosuvastatin 20-40 mg) for most patients
      1. Low dose Statin for those who cannot tolerate high dose
    2. Target LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50% AND LDL Cholesterol <55 mg/dl
      1. Consider adding Ezetimibe (Zetia)
      2. Consider adding PCSK9 Inhibitor
      3. Consider adding Bempedoic Acid
  5. ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
    1. Symptomatic Heart Failure with reduced EF (HFrEF) with or without prior Myocardial Infarction (MI)
      1. Sacubitril/Valsartan (preferred) OR
      2. ACE Inhibitor OR
      3. Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)
    2. Asymptomatic HFrEF (or Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus) with goal BP <130/80
      1. ACE Inhibitor OR
      2. Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)
  6. Mineralcorticoid Antagonist
    1. Indications
      1. NYHA Class 2 to 4 Heart Failure with Ejection Fraction (EF) <35%
    2. Contraindications
      1. eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2
      2. Serum Potassium >5 mEq/L
    3. Medications
      1. Spironolactone or Eplerenone (preferred)
      2. Finerenone (not routinely recommended, not studied in EF<40% and post-CABG)
  7. Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker (e.g. Amlodipine)
    1. Consider for up to 1 year following CABG to reduce risk of vasospasm (esp. if radial artery graft used)
  8. SGLT2 Inhibitor (e.g. Empagliflozin) Indications
    1. Heart Failure (regardless of EF)
    2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (regardless of Hemoglobin A1C)
  9. GLP1 Agonist (e.g. Semaglutide) Indications
    1. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (regardless of Hemoglobin A1C)
    2. Body Mass Index >27 kg/m2 (without Diabetes Mellitus)
  10. Cardiac Rehabilitation
    1. Reduces risk of future Myocardial Infarctions
    2. Reduces readmission rates and mortality rates
    3. Reinforces Medication Compliance
  11. Follow-up
    1. Phone follow-up within 2-3 days of CABG discharge
    2. Office follow-up within 7-14 days of CABG discharge
  12. References
    1. (2015) Presc Lett 22(5): 25
    2. Kulik (2015) Circulation 131(10):927-64 [PubMed]
    3. Dimitriadis (2021) J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 26(4):310-20 +PMID: 33514291 [PubMed]
    4. Ruel (2026) Circulation 153(25):e1408-26 +PMID: 42125794 [PubMed]

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