Complete Coronary Revascularization Improves Survival in Octogenarians

Background Completeness of revascularization is important for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, but information on its long-term impact in octogenarian patients is lacking. Methods From 1986 to 2004, 525 consecutive patients aged 80 years or more (mean age 82 ± 3 years) underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and were followed for a minimum of 10 years or until death. Outcome was stratified based on extent of revascularization, defined as total (graft to every diseased vessel), complete (graft to each region but not every diseased vessel), or incomplete (bypass not done to all suitable regions or vessels). Results Follow-up of 3,155 patient-years (mean follow-up 73 ± 54 months) was 99% complete. Overall operative mortality was 8% (41 of 525), and was lower for elective than for urgent/emergent cases (4.2% versus 16% ± 6%, p < 0.001, respectively). There was a trend toward higher operative mortality with incomplete (13% ± 6%) versus complete (8% ± 4%) or total revascularization (6% ± 3%; p = 0.09). For operative survivors, mean survival was significantly improved with total and complete revascularization (6.9 and 6.8 years, respectively), compared with incomplete revascularization (5.4 years, p < 0.008). For total, complete, and incomplete revascularization, survival at 5 years was 61% ± 3%, 61% ± 4%, and 47% ± 5%, respectively. Ten-year survival was 27% ± 3%, 21% ± 3%, and 16% ± 4% (p = 0.01), respectively, in these groups. Conclusions Incomplete revascularization in octogenarians is associated with decreased long-term survival when compared with total or complete revascularization. There was no survival benefit with total over complete revascularization. Octogenarians can have good long-term survival, especially with adequate revascularization.