The influence of ascending aortic atherosclerosis on the long-term survival after CABG.
OBJECTIVE
Ascending aortic atherosclerosis is a risk factor for perioperative morbidity and mortality in coronary surgery. It was the aim of our study to determine the role of atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta and other factors for the survival rate during long-term follow-up after CABG.


METHODS
From 500 out of 580 CABG patients (aged 67 (33-85) years, 77% male), who underwent intraoperative epiaortic ultrasound for assessment of ascending aortic wall thickness, a complete follow up regarding long-term survival was achieved. The median follow-up time was 55 (1-78) months.


RESULTS
53/500 (11%) patients died within the follow-up period, and the cumulative survival rate was 95, 90, and 84% after 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively (including hospital deaths). A significantly lower long-term survival was present in patients with: an age of 70 years or more (P<0.001), COPD (P=0.005), preoperative elevated serum creatinine of >1.2mg/dl (P=0.007), preoperative LVEF <40% (P=0.033), ascending aortic wall thickness of 4mm or more (P=0.001), carotid artery disease (P<0.001), peripheral vascular disease (P<0.001), and acute operation (P=0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed carotid artery disease, LVEF <40%, peripheral vascular disease, and advanced age to be independent risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with ascending aortic atherosclerosis are at risk for a decreased long-term survival after CABG. Besides, preoperative elevated serum creatinine, COPD, carotid artery disease, LVEF <40%, peripheral vascular disease, and advanced age are risk factors for a decreased long-term survival after CABG.
Schachner
Thomas
T
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria. thomas.schachner@uibk.ac.at
Zimmer
Anne
A
Nagele
Georg
G
Hangler
Herbert
H
Laufer
Günther
G
Bonatti
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003404:Creatinine