Similar survival 15 years after coronary artery surgery irrespective of left main stem stenosis.

Objectives: To evaluate 15-year survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to grade left main stenosis (LMS) and right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction.

Design: Coronary angiographic findings were prospectively collected in 977 patients who had CABG for stable angina during 1994-1995 and were included in the Swedish Coronary Revascularization - Swedish Council of Technology Assessment study.

Results: Significant LMS was present in one fifth of the patients and significant RCA obstruction was found in 61% of those with LMS and in 68% of patients without LMS. The patients were categorized as no LMS (Group I), LMS without RCA obstruction (Group II) or significant LMS with significant right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction (Group III). Early mortality did not differ in the three groups and was 1.2, 1.2% and 0.8% in group I, II and III, respectively. Corresponding survival at 15 years was similar 51%, 47% and 47%, respectively. In multivariable analysis older age, smoking, severe angina, positive stress test, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ejection fraction < 50% were risk factors for death at 15 years.

Conclusions: Death 15 years after CABG correlated to clinical variables but was not predicted from presence of LMS with or without significant associated RCA obstruction.