Survival 15 to 20 years after coronary bypass surgery for angina

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the 15- to 20-year outcome of coronary bypass surgery in patients with angina. Background. Coronary bypass surgery has been performed for >20 years; we need to know the expected outcome of a very long-term follow-up. Methods. Using actuarial techniques, we determined the outcome of coronary bypass surgery performed for chronic stable and unstable angina in 7,529 patients from 1969 to 1988. Results. The 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year survival rates (mean ± SE) were 88 ± 1, 73 ± 1, 53 ± 1 and 38 ± 3%, respectively, for the whole group. Compared with patients operated on in 1974 to 1988 (n = 7,026), patients operated on in 1969 to 1973 (n = 503) were younger and had less coronary artery disease but had a higher operative mortality rate and a shorter long-term survival time; 15- and 20-year survival of the 1969 to 1973 cohort was 47 ± 2% and 33 ± 3%, respectively. The 1974 to 1988 cohort of patients had a 2.1% operative mortality rate and a 10- and 15-year survival probability of 74 ± 1% and 55 ± 2%, respectively. For 2,128 patients with "normal" left ventricular function, the 10- and 15-year survival probability was 82 ± 1% and 64 ± 3%, respectively, and for 2,413 patients with "abnormal" left ventricular function, it was 66 ± 1% and 47 ± 3%, respectively (p < 0.0001); for men it was 74 ± 1% and 56 ± 2%, respectively, and for women, 70 ± 2% and 52 ± 5%, respectively, p < 0.05. The actuarial percentages of reoperation and myocardial infarction at 15 years were 33 ± 2% and 26 ± 2%, respectively; these values did not differ significantly between men and women. There was a significant (p < 0.001) difference between men and women in angina status; 81% of the men versus 74% of the women had no angina or mild angina at the most recent follow-up study. Conclusions. Coronary bypass surgery is an effective form of therapy for angina (for 15 to 20 years) in both men and women.