Survival of patients with well-developed collaterals undergoing CABG or medical treatment: an observational

Ersan Tatlı1, Meryem Aktoz, Mehmet Akif Çakar

  • 1Clinic of Cardiology, Ada Tıp Hospital, Sakarya-Turkey. ersantatli@yahoo.com

Insights

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) showed no significant survival benefit in patients with well-developed coronary collaterals compared to medical treatment. Outcomes like angina and heart attack rates were similar between groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

  • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common treatment for coronary artery disease.
  • Its effectiveness in patients with well-developed coronary collaterals, who may have alternative blood supply, is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of CABG on mortality and other clinical outcomes in patients with critical left anterior descending artery occlusion and well-developed collateral circulation.
  • To compare survival rates, angina, and myocardial infarction incidence between patients who underwent CABG and those who received medical treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational case-controlled study of 78 patients with critical LAD occlusion and Rentrop-3 collateral circulation.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: CABG (n=40) and medical treatment (n=38).
  • Evaluated survival, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and functional capacity (NYHA). Survival analysis used Kaplan-Meier.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were found in baseline characteristics, angina presence/severity, myocardial infarction, stroke, or functional capacity between CABG and medical treatment groups.
  • Cardiovascular death occurred in 8 patients (CABG) and 5 patients (medical treatment) (p=0.710).
  • 5-year survival rates were 80% for CABG and 84% for medical treatment (p=0.730).

Conclusions:

  • Well-developed coronary collaterals may provide sufficient blood supply, rendering CABG unnecessary for improving survival in selected patients.
  • CABG did not demonstrate a significant survival advantage over medical treatment in this specific patient cohort.
Abstract