Coronary artery bypass surgery versus medical treatment in patients with low ejection fraction and coronary artery disease

We compared the outcomes in patients with a low ejection fraction [EF] and multivessel coronary artery disease [CAD] who either underwent coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] or received medical treatment [MT] after a viability study via dobutamine stress echocardiography [DSE]. We considered patients with CAD and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 25% [100% vs. 40%, p < 0.05]. The patients with CAD and a low EF had the same survival rate after both CABG and MT at mid-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up is needed to show the survival benefit of CABG in such patients with an acceptable extent of viable myocardium

Moderate Mitral Regurgitation and Coronary Disease: Treatment with Coronary Bypass Alone?

In cases of moderate[2 or 3+ on a scale of 0 to 4+] nonorganic mitral regurgitation [MR] and coronary artery disease, operative strategy continues to be debated between coronary artery bypass grafting alone [CABG] or concomitant valve repair. To clarify the optimal management of these patients, we evaluated the mid-term results of isolated CABG in the study group. From March 2002 to February 2005, 40 consecutive patients [57.5% male, mean age: 62.45 +/- 8.7 years, mean ejection fraction: 44.15 +/- 12.6%, mean New York Heart Association class 2.5 +/- 0.78] with coronary artery disease and moderate MR without organic mitral valve disease [prolapse, rheumatism, etc.] underwent CABG alone. Thirty one [77.5%] patients had either postoperative or follow-up transthoracic echocardiography with mean follow up time of 10.82 +/- 8.12 months. Patient's pre and postoperative data were compared to evaluate the results of isolated CABG on moderate MR. MR was ischemic [with persistent wall motion abnormality] in 25 [62.5%] patients and functional [without persistent wall motion abnormality] in 15 [31.5%]. Considering postoperative and follow up transthoracic echocardiography, 54.8% had no or mild MR [29% MR 1+, 25.8% no MR] and 45.2% had moderate MR [16.1% MR 3+, 29% MR 2+]. ResoluItion of MR was significant [p<0.001], but it had no correlation with ischemic MR [p=0.46], preoperative ejection fraction [p=0.09], LV systolic [p=0.70] and diastolic dimensions [p=0.80]. Seven patients died, 2 in hospital and 5 later. Although for coronary artery disease accompanying moderate nonorganic MR, CABG alone reduces severlity of MR significantly, many patients are left with moderate MR. Preoperative diagnosis of moderate nonorganic MR may warrant concomitant mitral repair