Effect of peripheral vascular disease on long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
BACKGROUND
The Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group examined the effect of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and lower extremity disease (LED) on long-term outcome following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This article uses data provided by the authors to quantify the mortality implications of progressively more extensive atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
After successful CABG surgery, mortality ratios for patients with CHD + CVD (107%), CHD + LED (171%), and CHD + CVD + LED (195%), respectively, were 1.6 times, 2.5 times, and 2.8 times higher than mortality ratios for patients with CHD only (69%).


CONCLUSIONS
The extent of peripheral vascular disease predicted mortality experience even after successful myocardial revascularization.
Pokorski
R J
RJ
Cologne Life Reinsurance Company, Stamford, CT 06905, USA. pokorski@colognere.com
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000401:mortality*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*