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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2005;28:558-562
© 2005 Elsevier Science NL

Original articles

The influence of ascending aortic atherosclerosis on the long-term survival after CABG

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria

Received 26 April 2005; received in revised form 2 July 2005; accepted 4 July 2005.

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 512 504 80820; fax: +43 512 504 22528. (Email: thomas.schachner{at}uibk.ac.at).

Abstract

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. Conclusion: 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.

Key Words: Atherosclerosis • Coronary • Epiaortic ultrasound • Ascending aorta • CABG • survival