Long-term outcome in men and women after CABG; results from the IMAGINE trial

Residential Greenness and Long-term Mortality Among Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND

Studies have reported inverse associations between exposure to residential greenness and mortality. Greenness has also been associated with better surgical recovery. However, studies have had small sample sizes and have been restricted to clinical settings. We investigated the association between exposure to residential greenness and all-cause mortality among a cohort of cardiac patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

We studied this cohort of 3,128 CABG patients between 2004 and 2009 at seven cardiothoracic departments in Israel and followed patients until death or 1st May 2021. We collected covariate information at the time of surgery and calculated the patient-level average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) over the entire follow-up in a 300 m buffer from the home address. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate associations between greenness and death, adjusting for age, sex, origin, socioeconomic status, type of hospital admission, peripherality, air pollution, and distance from the sea.

RESULTS

Mean age at surgery was 63.8 ± 10.6 for men and 69.5 ± 10.0 for women. During an average of 12.1 years of follow-up (37,912 person-years), 1,442 (46%) patients died. A fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards model estimated a 7% lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.93, 95% CI = [0.85, 1.00]) per 1 interquartile range width increase (0.04) in NDVI. Results were robust to the use of different buffer sizes (100 m-1,250 m from the home) and to the use of average NDVI exposure during the first versus the last 2 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Residential greenness was associated with lower risk of mortality in CABG patients.

Effect of Gender on Postoperative Outcome and Duration of Ventilation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

INTRODUCTION

The study assessed coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) postoperative outcomes and associated factors in Saudi male and female patients. This was a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent CABG at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2015 to December 2022.  Results: We included 392 patients, of whom 63 (16.1%) were female. Female undergoing CABG were significantly older (p=0.0001), had a significantly higher incidence of diabetes (p=0.0001), obesity (p=0.001), hypertension (p=0.001), and congestive heart failure (p=0.005), with a smaller body surface area (BSA) (p=0.0001) than male. Though renal dysfunction, previous cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack (CVA/TIA), and myocardial infarction (MI), incidences were similar in both genders. Females were at significantly higher risk of mortality (p=0.0001), longer hospital stay (p=0.0001), and prolonged ventilation (p=0.0001). Preoperative renal dysfunction was the only statistically significant predictor of postoperative complications (p=0.0001). Female gender and preoperative renal dysfunction, were significant independent predictors of postoperative mortality and prolonged ventilation (p=0.005).

CONCLUSION

This study's findings indicated that females have worse CABG outcomes and a higher risk of morbidities and complications. Uniquely our study showed a higher incidence of prolonged ventilation in females postoperatively.

Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes after Surgical Myocardial Revascularization

High mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) requires improved approaches to the treatment of this socially significant pathology. Wide implementation of surgical myocardial revascularization makes it possible to improve significantly both life quality and expectancy in patients with coronary heart disease. The aim of this work was to analyze the literature on the impact of preoperative, operative and postoperative factors on the long-term prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The review refers to both recent and earlier informative works. The target groups for this article are therapists, cardiologists, rehabilitologists, who work with patients in the short and long term after CABG. Data of Russian and foreign literature show that the long-term prognosis after CABG is largely determined by preoperative factors, in particular – age, set of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) and comorbidity, specifically – severity of coronary and systemic atherosclerosis, incident cardiovascular complications, structural and functional state of the heart. In the aggregate these factors reflect the cumulative effect and further potential of actual cardiovascular RFs, affect longterm risk of adverse events, and determine the therapeutic targets of secondary prevention. Priority of arterial conduits and completeness of revascularization are the main operative factors that determine the course of the long-term period after CABG. Among the postoperative factors, the efficiency of secondary CVD prevention is of paramount importance, in particular – achievement of target RF levels, compensation of cardiac and extracardiac pathology, adherence to the long-term medical therapy, known to improve outcomes based on specific comorbidity. Efficiency of secondary CVD prevention largely depends on patient's health attitudes, the key influence on which beyond attending physician can be provided by participation in rehabilitation programs, teaching patients the meaning and essentials of lifestyle modification and cardiovascular RFs’ control.

Sex differences in mortality after first time, isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

Reports of sex-specific differences in mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) are contradictory. The review aim was to determine whether CABGS is differentially efficacious than alternative procedures by sex, on short- and longer-term mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

EMBASE, CINAHL, Medline, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Inclusion criteria: English language, randomized controlled trials from 2010, comparing isolated CABGS to alternative revascularization. Analyses were included Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects modelling, risk of bias (Cochrane RoB2), and quality assessment (CONSORT). PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42020181673. The search yielded 4459 citations, and full-text review of 29 articles revealed nine studies for inclusion with variable time to follow-up. Risk of mortality for women was similar in pooled analyses [risk ratio (RR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-1.05, P = 0.26] but higher in sensitivity analyses excluding 'high risk' patients (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48, P = 0.04). At 30 days and 10 years, in contrast to men, women had an 18% (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66-1.02, P = 0.08) and 19% (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.95, P = 0.01) mortality risk reduction. At 1-2 years women had a 7% (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.69-1.64, P = 0.77), and at 2-5 years a 25% increase in risk of mortality compared with men (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.53, P = 0.03). Women were increasingly under-represented over time comprising 41% (30 days) to 16.7% (10 years) of the pooled population.

CONCLUSION

Meta-analysis revealed inconsistent sex-specific differences in mortality after CABGS. Trials with sex-specific stratification are required to ensure appropriate sex-differentiated treatments for revascularization.

Long-term survival of female versus male patients after coronary artery bypass grafting

Background

Several of the most extensively used risk prediction tools for coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes include female sex as an independent risk factor for postoperative outcomes. It is not clear whether this putative increased surgical risk impacts long-term survival. This study aimed to assess sex differences in 10-year all-cause mortality.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 5340 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese level III Hospital. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at ten years. We employed an overlap weighting algorithm to minimize confounding. Its target population highlights patients with the most overlap in their observed characteristics, and its corresponding estimand is the average treatment effect in the overlap population.

Results

We identified that 5340 patients underwent isolated CABG: 1104 (20.7%) were female, and 4236 (79.3%) were male. Sixteen patients were lost to follow-up (0.3%). The median follow-up time was 12.79 (IQR, 9.52–16.66) years: 12.68 (IQR, 9.48–16.54) years for the male patient group and 13.13 (IQR, 9.75–16.98) years for the female patient group. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at ten years occurred in 1106 patients (26.1%) in the male patient group, compared with 315 (28.5%) in the female patient group. The unweighted survival analysis for both groups reveals the worst long-term prognosis for the female cohort (hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.35; p < 0.001), while in the overlap weighted survival analysis, such long-term difference in prognosis disappears (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; p = 0.693).

Conclusion

In this longitudinal, population-level analysis of patients undergoing primary, isolated CABG, we demonstrated that the female sex is not associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality compared to their male counterparts. Thus, sex should not influence the undertaking of an adequate revascularization strategy.

Unravelling the Difference Between Men and Women in Post-CABG Survival

Objectives

Women have a worse prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery compared to men. We sought to quantify to what extent this difference in post-CABG survival could be attributed to sex itself, or whether this was mediated by difference between men and women at the time of intervention. Additionally, we explored to what extent these effects were homogenous across patient subgroups.

Methods

Time to all-cause mortality was available for 102,263 CABG patients, including 20,988 (21%) women, sourced through an individual participant data meta-analysis of five cohort studies. Difference between men and women in survival duration was assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates, and Cox's proportional hazards model.

Results

During a median follow-up of 5 years, 13,598 (13%) patients died, with women more likely to die than men: female HR 1.20 (95%CI 1.16; 1.25). We found that differences in patient characteristics at the time of CABG procedure mediated this sex effect, and accounting for these resulted in a neutral female HR 0.98 (95%CI 0.94; 1.02). Next we performed a priori defined subgroup analyses of the five most prominent mediators: age, creatinine, peripheral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure. We found that women without peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or women aged 70+, survived longer than men (interaction p-values 0.04 and 6 × 10-5, respectively), with an effect reversal in younger women.

Conclusion

Sex differences in post-CABG survival were readily explained by difference in patient characteristics and comorbidities. Pre-planned analyses revealed patient subgroups (aged 70+, or without PVD) of women that survived longer than men, and a subgroup of younger women with comparatively poorer survival.

Sex difference in the risk factor distributions and outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the young population

OBJECTIVES

Coronary artery disease is becoming a major health concern in the young population. Male and female patients may experience different journeys after coronary artery disease events. We aimed to evaluate risk factors and compare outcomes between young male and female patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

METHODS

In this registry-based large sample size study, patients undergoing isolated CABG at a young age (premature isolated CABG) between 2007 and 2016 were included and followed up until 2020. Premature was defined as women and men younger than 55 years old. The main end points of the study were 7-year all-cause mortality and 7-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULTS

Of a total of 24 428 patients who underwent CABG, 7217 patients (men-to-women ratio ≈4:1) with premature isolated CABG were included. The median follow-up duration was 78.5 months (75.2-81.6 months). The prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity were significantly higher in women than in men (58.3% vs 28.6%, 64.2% vs 38.5%, 69.7% vs 55.3% and 44.7 vs 23.9, respectively; all Ps < 0.05). The risk factor burden (mean of the risk factor count per year) was also higher among the female population. Diabetes mellitus was the common mortality predictor between men and women. In the subgroup analysis (interaction analysis in the adjusted model), hypertensive females had a higher rate of MACCE and a higher rate of mortality than hypertensive males; however, this difference was not significant in the non-hypertensive population. Opium addiction was a strong predictor of MACCE and all-cause mortality among men. Female patients had a higher rate of 7-year MACCE (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.51) and a higher rate of 7-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factor profile and predictors of outcomes were different between our female and male patients. Women carried a higher risk of events and mortality after CABG at a young age.

Sex and age difference in risk factor distribution, trend, and long-term outcome of patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND

Preoperative coronary artery disease risk factors (CADRFs) distribution and pattern may also have an important role in determining major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the CADRFs distribution and trend over 10 years and also the long-term outcome of CABG in different age-sex categories.

METHOD

In this registry-based serial cross-sectional study, we enrolled 24,328 patients who underwent isolated CABG and evaluated the prevalence of CADRFs according to sex and age. We used inverse probability weighting (IPW) to compare survival and MACE between the sexes. We also used Cox regression to determine each CADRFs effect on survival and MACEs.

RESULTS

In general, DLP (56.00%), HTN (53.10%), DM (38.40%), and positive family history (38.30%) were the most frequent risk factors in all patients. Prevalence of HTN, DLP, DM, obesity, and positive family history were all higher in women, all statistically significant. The median follow-up duration was 78.1 months (76.31-79.87 months). After inverse probability weighting (to balance risk factors and comorbidities), men had lower MACEs during follow-up (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.57-0.91; P value 0.006) and there was no significant difference in survival between sexes. DM and HTN were associated with higher mortality and MACEs in both sexes.

CONCLUSION

Although DLP is still the most frequent CADRF among the CABG population, the level of LDL and TG is decreasing. Women experience higher MACE post CABG. Therefore, health care providers and legislators must pay greater attention to female population CADRFs and ways to prevent them at different levels.

Sex-Based Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND

Sex is suggested to influence outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), although evidence on long-term mortality is controversial and cardiovascular outcome data are lacking. We studied sex differences in outcomes after isolated CABG.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with first-time isolated CABG for stable coronary artery disease between 2004 and 2014 in Finland were retrospectively recognized from national registry (n = 14,681; 21% women). Propensity scoring and inverse probability weighting were used to adjust for baseline features. Median follow-up was 10.0 (maximum 14.6) years.

RESULTS

Cumulative major adverse cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) rate was 44.5% in men and 49.9% in women during follow-up (hazard ratio [HR], 0.98; P = .633). All-cause mortality was 48.5% in men vs 46.0% in women (HR, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.30; P < .0001), and cardiovascular mortality was 29.5% vs 31.3% (P = .625). Stroke rate was comparable between men and women (19.4% vs 23.6%; P = .625). Myocardial infarction occurred more frequently in women (20.0% vs 23.6%; HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.95; P = .005). Redo revascularization was performed to 12.8% of women and to 12.6% of men (P = .100). Anticoagulation was more frequently used by men and adenosine diphosphate inhibitors and diuretics were more frequently used by women after CABG. Usage of statins, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-blockers, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or nitrates did not differ between sexes after CABG.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex was not an independent predictor of long-term major adverse cardiovascular events after CABG in this population-based cohort study. However, men had higher long-term all-cause mortality and women higher risk of myocardial infarction. Long-term outcomes should be accounted for when considering sex as a risk factor for CABG.

Is gender a risk factor for bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting? A twenty-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Although bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting is associated with improved survival, many surgeons are reluctant to use this technique, especially in female patients, due to its greater complexity and potential increased risk of sternal infection. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of male and female patients who underwent BITA grafting.

METHODS

We evaluated at the early outcome and late mortality, 551 female versus 2525 male patients who underwent isolated BITA grafting between January 1996 and December 2011. To adjust for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, a multivariate risk analysis and propensity score matching were performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for the entire cohort and for the matched cohort.

RESULTS

Female patients were older and were more likely than males to have congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, and diabetes. Sternal infection was more frequent in females than males (3.3% vs. 1.8%; p = .04). Differences were not observed in operative mortality (2.9% vs. 1.9%; p = .15) and stroke incidence (3.4% vs. 2.6; p = .30). After multivariate risk analysis and propensity score matching, the female gender was not found to be a predictor of worse outcomes. There was no difference in median survival among female and male patients (14.3 and 14.2 years, respectively; p = .68).

CONCLUSION

Our results support the routine use of BITA grafting in proper selected female patients who undergo myocardial revascularization.

Co-morbidities and co-medications as confounders of cardioprotection-Does it matter in the clinical setting?

The translation of cardioprotection from robust experimental evidence to beneficial clinical outcome for patients suffering acute myocardial infarction or undergoing cardiovascular surgery has been largely disappointing. The present review attempts to critically analyse the evidence for confounders of cardioprotection in patients with acute myocardial infarction and in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. One reason that has been proposed to be responsible for such lack of translation is the confounding of cardioprotection by co-morbidities and co-medications. Whereas there is solid experimental evidence for such confounding of cardioprotection by single co-morbidities and co-medications, the clinical evidence from retrospective analyses of the limited number of clinical data is less robust. The best evidence for interference of co-medications is that for platelet inhibitors to recruit cardioprotection per se and thus limit the potential for further protection from myocardial infarction and for propofol anaesthesia to negate the protection from remote ischaemic conditioning in cardiovascular surgery. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc.

Sex differences after coronary artery bypass grafting with a second arterial conduit

OBJECTIVES

Double arterial conduit use during coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with single arterial conduits in the general population. However, the sex-specific outcomes of this strategy remain unknown and are needed to inform sex-specific revascularization guidelines.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of all Ontarians who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with single arterial conduits or double arterial conduits between October 2008 and September 2017. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, repeat revascularization, and stroke. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting to account for group imbalances.

RESULTS

A total of 9135 women and 36,748 men underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. At 30 days, there was no between-group difference in mortality or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in men. However, among women, a double arterial conduit was associated with an increased rate of 30-day death (hazard ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.79) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.51). The risk of medium-term mortality with double arterial conduits was less in men (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.92) and women (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.94), as was the medium-term risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.94) [men]; hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97) [women]). The incremental improvement in 9-year survival was 4.0% in women with a double arterial conduit and 0.9% in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Double arterial conduit is associated with better medium-term survival and cardiovascular outcomes in both sexes. Double arterial conduits are associated with increased perioperative risk in women, but the medium-term benefit is greater than in men.

The Impact of Sex on Outcomes After Revascularization for Multivessel Coronary Disease

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease has historically been responsible for more deaths among women than men, and previous studies have suggested sex differences in revascularization approaches and outcomes. We sought to compare sex-specific adverse events in patients who underwent percutaneous or surgical revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease.

METHODS

All patients at a single institution undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery for multivessel coronary artery disease between 2011 and 2018 were included. Propensity score matching was utilized to compare patients with similar baseline characteristics. Outcomes included death, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), repeat revascularization, and readmissions.

RESULTS

Of the 6163 patients, 1679 (27.2%) were female. Male patients were more likely to have three-vessel disease (71.9% vs 68.6%, P = .002) and to undergo complete revascularization (69.9% vs 66.4%, P = .008). Female sex was associated with an increased hazard for death (hazard ratio 1.16, P = .03) and MACCE (hazard ratio 1.16, P = .02) but not repeat revascularization (hazard ratio 1.23, P = .16). In the matched cohorts, female sex was associated with lower survival at 1 year (90.63% vs 93.12%, P = .01) but not at 5 years (76.64% vs 77.33%, P = .20). Similarly, freedom from MACCE was lower for female patients at 1 year (87.79% vs 90.19%, P = .03) but was comparable at 5 years (73.22% vs 74.3%, P = .10).

CONCLUSIONS

In a matched analysis pooling percutaneous and surgical revascularization, female sex was associated with worse outcomes at 1 year although there were no sex differences at 5 years of follow-up. Increasing coronary artery bypass graft surgery utilization and the completeness of revascularization in female patients may be targets for improving 1-year survival and freedom from MACCE.

Sex-Specific Outcome after Ascending Aortic Surgery in Moderate Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

BACKGROUND

Historically, female patients had worse outcome undergoing heart surgery. No recent data exist on gender-specific outcome after moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA). The aim of this large retrospective analysis was to investigate gender disparity in patients undergoing elective surgery of ascending aorta in MHCA at 24°C.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 905 (33.3% female) cases of elective heart surgery in MHCA for ascending aortic aneurysm (90.9%) or severely calcified aorta (12.5%) between 2001 and 2015. Furthermore, 299 female and 299 male patients matched by propensity score were compared. Patients with dissection of the aorta were excluded.

RESULTS

Women were older (68.4 ± 9.9 vs. 65.8 ± 11.6 years; p = 0.002), had higher logistic EuroSCORE I (18.4 [11.7; 29.2] vs. 12.3% [7.4; 22.6]; p < 0.001), and significantly shorter cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (132 [105; 175] vs. 150 [118; 192] minutes; p < 0.001), while mean MHCA time was longer (15 [13; 19] vs. 14 [12; 17] minutes; p = 0.003). Surgical procedures were less complex in women and they were treated more frequently by isolated supracoronary ascending aorta replacement (61 vs. 54%; p = 0.046). Postoperatively, men showed a higher incidence of neurologic complications (7.0 vs. 3.3%; p = 0.03). The 30-day mortality (women 4.9% vs. men 3.9%; p = 0.48) did not differ significantly, likewise after statistical matching (4.7 vs. 2.3%; p = 0.120). Age, CPB time, and blood transfusion, but not female gender, were risk factors for mortality in multivariable regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the hypothesis that female gender is not associated with increased short-term mortality or perioperative adverse events in elective aortic surgery in MHCA.

Sex Differences in Long-Term Survival After Major Cardiac Surgery: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

Little attention has been paid to the importance of sex in the long‐term prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Ontario residents, aged ≥40 years, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or aortic, mitral, or tricuspid valve surgery between October 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The mortality rate in each surgical group was calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. The risk of death was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Sex‐specific mortality risk factors were identified using multiplicative interaction terms. A total of 72 824 patients were included in the study (25% women). The median follow‐up period was 5 (interquartile range, 3–7) years. The long‐term age‐standardized mortality rate was lowest in patients who underwent isolated CABG and highest among those who underwent combined CABG/multiple valve surgery. Women had significantly higher age‐standardized mortality rate than men after CABG and combined CABG/mitral valve surgery. Men had lower rates of long‐term mortality than women after isolated mitral valve repair, whereas women had lower rates of long‐term mortality than men after isolated mitral valve replacement. We observed a statistically significant association between female sex and long‐term mortality after adjustment for key risk factors.

Conclusions

Female sex was associated with long‐term mortality after cardiac surgery. Perioperative optimization and long‐term follow‐up should be tailored to younger women with a history of myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention and older men with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression.

Sex Difference in Patients With Ischemic Heart Failure Undergoing Surgical Revascularization: Results From the STICH Trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure)

BACKGROUND

Female sex is conventionally considered a risk factor for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and has been included as a poor prognostic factor in multiple cardiac operative risk evaluation scores. We aimed to investigate the association of sex and the long-term benefit of CABG in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the prospective STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure Study).

METHODS

The STICH trial randomized 1212 patients (148 [12%] women and 1064 [88%] men) with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% to CABG+medical therapy (MED) versus MED alone. Long-term (10-year) outcomes with each treatment were compared according to sex.

RESULTS

At baseline, women were older (63.4 versus 59.3 years; P=0.016) with higher body mass index (27.9 versus 26.7 kg/m²; P=0.001). Women had more coronary artery disease risk factors (diabetes mellitus, 55.4% versus 37.2%; hypertension, 70.9% versus 58.6%; hyperlipidemia, 70.3% versus 58.9%) except for smoking (13.5% versus 21.8%) and had lower rates of prior CABG (0% versus 3.4%; all P<0.05) than men. Moreover, women had higher New York Heart Association class (class III/IV, 66.2% versus 57.0%), lower 6-minute walk capacity (300 versus 350 m), and lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary scores (51 versus 63; all P<0.05). Over 10 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality (49.0% versus 65.8%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.86; P=0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (34.3% versus 52.3%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.89; P=0.006) were significantly lower in women compared with men. With randomization to CABG+MED versus MED treatment, there was no significant interaction between sex and treatment group in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or the composite of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization (all P>0.05). In addition, surgical deaths were not statistically different (1.5% versus 5.1%; P=0.187) between sexes among patients randomized to CABG per protocol as initial treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex is not associated with the effect of CABG+MED versus MED on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, the composite of death or cardiovascular hospitalization, or surgical deaths in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, sex should not influence treatment decisions about CABG in these patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Prevalence and Long-Term Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Women and Men With Heart Failure and Preserved Versus Reduced Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (rEF) is a widely regarded prognosticator after coronary artery bypass grafting. HF with preserved ejection fraction (pEF) accounts for up to half of all HF cases and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in hospitalized cohorts. However, HFpEF outcomes have not been elucidated in cardiac surgical patients. We investigated the prevalence and outcomes of HFpEF and HFrEF in women and men following coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada, between October 1, 2008, and March 31, 2015, using Cardiac Care Network and Canadian Institute of Health Information data. HF is captured through a validated population-based database of all Ontarians with physician-diagnosed HF. We defined pEF as ejection fraction ≥50% and rEF as ejection fraction <50%. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Analyses were stratified by sex. Mortality rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. The relative hazard of death was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Of 40 083 patients (20.6% women), 55.5% had pEF without HF, 25.7% had rEF without HF, 6.9% had HFpEF, and 12.0% had HFrEF. Age-standardized HFpEF mortality rates at 4±2 years of follow-up were similar in women and men. HFrEF standardized HFpEF mortality rates were higher in women than men.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a higher prevalence and poorer prognosis of HFpEF in women. A history of HF was a more important prognosticator than ejection fraction. Preoperative screening and extended postoperative follow-up should be focused on women and men with HF rather than on rEF alone.

Coronary Surgery in Women and the Challenges We Face

This review was undertaken to understand the dynamics that have shaped our current treatment of women who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and summarize the current literature on surgical revascularization in women. There has been improved access to CABG over the past several decades. Despite this, compared with men, CABG in women involves fewer grafts and less frequent use of arterial grafts, the latter having improved long-term patency compared with saphenous vein grafts. We attempt to determine whether the adverse clinical profile of women, when referred for CABG is responsible for this finding. Female coronary anatomy and pathophysiology are reviewed and an attempt is made to understand how this might affect decisions of selection and outcome measures post CABG. We review the short-term, long-term, and quality of life outcomes in women. These data are taken from large databases, as well as from more recent publications. Randomized controlled trial data and meta-analytic data are used when available. Differential use of and outcomes of surgical strategies, including off-pump CABG and total arterial revascularization, are contrasted with those in men. This review shows that there continues to be widespread differences in surgical approach to coronary artery disease in female vs male patients. We provide evidence suggestive of the existence of issues specific to women that affect selection for surgical procedures and outcomes in women. More work is required to understand the reason for these differences and how to optimize sex-specific outcomes.

Female sex is not a risk factor for post procedural mortality in coronary bypass surgery in the elderly: A secondary analysis of the GOPCABE trial

OBJECTIVE

Female sex is considered a significant risk in cardiac surgery and is included in the majority of scores for risk assessment. However, the evidence is controversial and older women undergoing cardiac surgery have not specifically been investigated. We assessed the influence of female sex on surgical risk (30-day mortality) in a secondary analysis of the GOPCABE trial (German Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass grafting in the Elderly (GOPCABE) trial, comparing on- to off-pump) and also evaluated its impact on risk prediction from commonly used risk scores.

METHODS

We performed logistic regression analyses on the GOPCABE trial population, where patients were randomized to either on- or off-pump CABG. The study was performed in 12 cardiac surgery centers in Germany and analyzed 2394 patients having undergone CABG at age ≥75 years (1187 on-pump, 1207 off-pump). Of the 2394 patients, 755 (32%) were women. The logistic EuroSCORE and the German KCH score were calculated as expected (E) mortality and values were compared to observed (O) 30-day mortality (O/E ratio).

RESULTS

There was no difference in mortality or major cardiovascular adverse events after 30 days between men and women for both on- and off-pump CABG (men: on- vs. off-pump OR = 0.90, 95%-CI: [0.63;1.27]; women: on- vs. off-pump OR = 1.07, 95%-CI: [0.62;1.87]). Therefore, groups were combined for further analyses. Both men and women had considerable and similar comorbidities. Expected mortality was significantly higher for women than for men (logistic EuroSCORE: 8.88±6.71% vs. 7.99±6.69%, p = 0.003; KCH score: 4.42±3.97% vs. 3.57±3.65%, p = 0.001). However, observed mortality rates (O) tended to be even lower in women (2.1% vs. 3.0%). The O/E ratio was closer to 1 in men than in women (0.84 vs. 0.47). Excluding female sex from the risk models increased O/E ratio to 0.69.

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex is not a risk factor in coronary bypass surgery in the GOPCABE population. The result is the same for on- and off-pump surgery. Since female sex is a component of most risk scores, the findings may identify a potential inaccuracy in current surgical risk assessment, specifically for elderly women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov GOPCABE trial No. NCT00719667.

Gender-based acute outcome in percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total coronary occlusion

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of total chronic coronary occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge. Insignificant data are reported in the literature about gender differences in CTO-PCI in the era of new drug-eluting stents. In this study we analysed the impact of gender on procedural characteristics, complications and acute results.

Methods

Between 2010–2015 we included 780 consecutive patients. They underwent PCI for at least one CTO. Antegrade and retrograde CTO techniques were applied.

Results

Patients undergoing CTO-PCI were mainly men (84%). Male patients were younger (66.9 years ±10.6 vs. 61.1 years ±10.4; p < 0.001), more often smokers, but less frequently had a history of coronary artery disease (24.4% vs. 32.7%; p = 0.085) compared with female patients. Female patients more often had diabetes mellitus (29.6% vs. 26.7%; p = 0.55) and hypertension (82.7% vs. 80.7%; p = 0.55). There were no differences with respect to the amount of contrast fluid, fluoroscopy time and examination time as well as to the length of the stent or the number of the stents. The stent diameter was slightly smaller in women, which was not surprising because the lumen calibre tends to be smaller in women than in men (3.0 mm (2.5–3) vs. 3.0 mm (3–3.5); p < 0.001). The success rates were 81.0% in women and 80.1% in men. There was no significant interaction between gender and procedural success and complication rates.

Conclusions

Our retrospective study suggests that women and men have a comparable success rate at a low complication rate after recanalisation of CTO.

Sex Differences in the Epidemiology of New-Onset In-Hospital Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Atrial Fibrillation: A Large Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is associated with increased morbidity and poorer long-term survival. Although many studies show differences in outcome in women versus men after CABG, little is known about the sex-specific incidence and characteristics of post-CABG AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Overall, 11 236 consecutive patients without preoperative AF underwent isolated CABG from 2002 to 2010 at 4 US academic medical centers and 1 high-volume specialty cardiac hospital. Data routinely collected for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database were augmented with details on new-onset post-CABG AF events detected via continuous in-hospital ECG/telemetry monitoring. Unadjusted incidence of post-CABG AF was 29.5% (3312/11 236) overall, 30.2% (2485/8214) in men, and 27.4% (827/3022) in women. After adjustment for Society of Thoracic Surgeons-recognized risk factors, women had significantly lower risk for post-CABG AF (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=0.75 [0.64-0.89]), shorter first, longest, and total duration of AF episodes (mean difference [95% confidence interval]=-2.7 [-4.7 to -0.8] hours; -4.1 [-6.9 to -1.2] hours; -2.4 [-2.5 to -2.3] hours, respectively). At 48 hours, AF-free probabilities were 77% for women and 72% for men (P<0.001). Number of episodes (P=0.18), operative mortality (P=0.048), stroke (P=0.126), and discharge in AF (P=0.234) did not differ significantly by sex.

CONCLUSIONS

These novel data on sex-specific characteristics of new-onset AF after isolated CABG show that women had lower adjusted risk for post-CABG AF and experienced shorter episodes. Investigation of sex-specific impacts on outcomes is needed to identify optimal strategies for prevention and management to ensure all patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

Gender differences in outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: long-term results

Background

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, in terms of 5-year rates of overall death, cardiac-related death, myocardial infarction, re-hospitalization, repeat percutaneous or surgical revascularization, stroke, new pacemaker implantation, postoperative renal failure, heart failure and need for long-term care.

Methods

Two propensity-score matched cohorts, each of 1331 patients, undergoing isolated surgical coronary revascularization at the regional public and private centers of Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) from January 1st 2003 to December 31th 2013, were used to compare long-term outcomes of male (5976 patients) versus female gender (1332 patients).

Results

In the matched cohort, males received significantly more bypass grafts (3.0 ± 1.0 vs 2.8 ± 1.0, p = 0.001). Left internal mammary artery use and total arterial revascularization were similarly performed in both matched subgroups. Both groups reported similar cumulative rate of all-cause, cardiac-related mortality and stroke at five years. Females experienced significantly higher rate of myocardial infarction, and not significantly higher occurrence of heart failure, and need for long-term care. Males experienced significantly higher rate of cumulative re-hospitalization and higher need for pacemaker implantation. Female gender was not an independent predictor of death at long-term follow-up.

Conclusions

Women are more likely to be readmitted with myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure after CABG but experience survival similar to that observed in men. Female gender was not an independent risk factor for mortality. Prevention of new occurrence of postoperative myocardial infarction and enhancement of complete coronary revascularization should be future endpoints.