Off-pump bypass surgery and postoperative stroke: California coronary bypass outcomes reporting program.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is associated with a significant risk of stroke. Some studies suggest that off-pump CABG (OPCAB) may reduce postoperative stroke rate. We performed this study to evaluate the relationship between postoperative stroke and OPCAB compared with conventional on-pump CABG (CCB) in a recent, large cohort of patients. METHODS: Data from the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program were analyzed in patients who had OPCAB or CCB for isolated CABGs in 2006 to 2007. Two multivariable logistic regression models were developed for the analysis, and the "recycled predictions" method was used to compute risk-adjusted postoperative stroke rates in the two surgical groups. RESULTS: Of 30,426 isolated CABGs, 7,720 (23.7%) were OPCAB. The model developed in the CCB subset indicated that CCB had a lower predicted stroke risk than OPCAB, yet the observed rate of stroke was higher in the CCB subset. The model using both CCB and OPCAB patients revealed that OPCAB was associated with a reduction in postoperative stroke (adjusted odds ratio: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59 to 0.98). For patients with cardiogenic shock, OPCAB was also associated with a lower risk-adjusted postoperative stroke rate compared with CCB (OPCAB: 3.06%, 95% CI 2.83% to 3.28%; CCB: 4.05%, 95% CI 3.76% to 4.33%, p < 0.001). However, the 793 (11%) OPCAB patients who were converted to CCB intraoperatively had an increased postoperative stroke rate (with conversion: 2.02%, 95% CI 1.04% to 3.00% versus without conversion: 0.96%, 95% CI 0.73% to 1.20%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The OPCAB was associated with a significantly lower postoperative stroke rate compared with CCB even for older and higher risk patients. However, intraoperative OPCAB to CCB conversion was associated with the highest postoperative stroke rate.

Survival enhancing indications for coronary artery bypass graft surgery in California.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is performed because of anticipated survival benefit, improvement in quality of life, or both. We performed this study to explore variations in clinical indications for CABG surgery among California hospitals and surgeons. METHODS: Using California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program data, we classified all isolated CABG cases in 2003-2004 as having "probable survival enhancing indications (SEIs)", "possible SEIs" or "non-SEIs." Patient and hospital characteristics associated with SEIs were examined. RESULTS: While 82.9% of CABG were performed for probable SEIs, the range extended from 68% to 96% among hospitals and 51% to 100% among surgeons. SEI rates were higher among patients aged >or= 65 compared with those aged 18-64 (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] > 1.29 for age groups 65-69, 70-74 and >or= 75; all p < 0.001), among Asians and Native Americans compared with Caucasians (AOR 1.22 and 1.15, p < 0.001); and among patients with hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease and congestive heart failure compared to patients without these conditions (AOR > 1.09, all p < 0.001). Variations in indications for surgery were more strongly related to patient mix than to surgeon or hospital effects (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.04 for hospital; ICC = 0.01 for surgeon). CONCLUSION: California hospitals and surgeons vary in their distribution of indications for CABG surgery. Further research is required to identify the roles of market factors, referral patterns, patient preferences, and local clinical culture in producing the observed variations.

A case-control study of the impact of WBC reduction on the cost of hospital care for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: WBC reduction of blood components may reduce the incidence of transfusion reactions. The cost of this intervention might be offset by a reduction in the incidence of postoperative infection, thereby reducing the length of hospital stay and thus the cost of care for patients receiving transfusion. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center provided WBC-reduced blood components to all patients for a period of 2 years, creating an opportunity to compare the incidence of postoperative infection, length of hospital stay, and total hospital costs for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, before, during, and after WBC reduction. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained by examining hospital records of patients who received transfusion and control patients who did not receive transfusion for the years 1991 (before WBC reduction), 1992 to 1993 (during WBC reduction), and 1994 (following discontinuation of WBC reduction). Comparisons were made by use of ANOVA following log or square root transformation of the data. RESULTS: Length of hospital stay for patients who received transfusion decreased over time. Mean hospital stays were 15.9, 14.1, and 12.1 days before, during, and after WBC reduction, respectively. A similar trend was seen in the patients who did not receive transfusion. There was no indication that WBC reduction functioned as an independent variable that was responsible for the observed decrease. The rate of postoperative infection stayed constant during WBC reduction and only dropped when WBC reduction was stopped. Mean hospital cost showed no significant change over time for either the transfusion group or the nontransfusion group. CONCLUSION: The cost of providing a totally WBC-reduced blood supply may not be offset by immediate savings related to decreased postoperative infections, reduced length of hospital stay, and cost of hospital care.

Off-pump coronary surgery: effect on early mortality and stroke.

BACKGROUND: Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass grafting is thought to reduce early mortality and morbidity. METHODS: We used our prospective database to compare all patients having off-pump coronary surgery (n = 389) with those having on-pump coronary surgery (n = 2412) between March 15, 1995, and November 1, 2000. Patients were grouped by age (years) in decades (>90, 80-89, 70-79, 60-69, <60 years). The Northern New England risk model was applied. Thirty-two independent variables were entered into a stepwise logistic regression analysis with the end points being surgical mortality and postoperative stroke. RESULTS: Patients undergoing off-pump operations were older (70.9 +/- 12 vs 68.1 +/- 11 years; P <.001), and their Northern New England predicted risk was higher (11.9% +/- 13% vs 9.2% +/- 10%; P <.001). However, patients having on-pump bypass had significantly more bypass grafts constructed (3.3 +/- 0.8 vs 1.9 +/- 0.8; P <.001) and triple-vessel coronary artery disease (58% vs 28%; P <.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative mortality, stroke rate, complications, and length of stay between the groups. Logistic regression analysis did not show that cardiopulmonary bypass was a risk factor for either surgical mortality (odds ratio, 1.08; P =.83) or stroke (odds ratio, 1.59; P =.27). CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary bypass did not reduce early mortality and morbidity. Early and late results should be compared in a prospective randomized study.