Incomplete Revascularization Linked to Higher Risk of Death

Three-year mortality is twice as high in CAD patients who aren't completely revascularized

FRIDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) who are not amenable to traditional revascularization have a risk of three-year mortality that is significantly higher than that of patients who undergo complete revascularization, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions.

Benjamin Williams, M.D., of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, and colleagues reviewed angiographs and clinical data from 493 patients undergoing coronary angiography and revascularization if indicated at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital between July 2005 and August 2005.

Overall, the researchers found that 28.8 percent of patients had significant CAD and did not undergo complete revascularization. A total of 12.8 percent of patients were partially revascularized, 9.3 percent were medically managed, and 6.7 percent were on optimal medical therapy with no revascularization option. Compared to patients who underwent complete revascularization, they found that the three-year mortality rate was significantly higher in those who did not undergo the procedure (14.8 versus 6.6 percent).

"This growing patient population is in need of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving not only mortality but also quality of life," the authors conclude.

Abstract
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