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Int J Angiol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2655-2479
Review Article

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Review of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes

Adekemi Adeyemi
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York
,
Lorin Berman
2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York
,
Mark Staroselsky
2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York
,
Dessiree Cordero
2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York
,
Ofek Hai
2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York
,
Amgad N. Makaryus 
3   Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
4   Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York
,
Roman Zeltser
3   Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
4   Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
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Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains a cornerstone in the management of complex coronary artery disease (CAD), offering significant improvements in both survival and quality of life. This review evaluates the short- and long-term outcomes associated with CABG. Despite its benefits, CABG carries perioperative complications, including atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, stroke, and surgical site infection. While early mortality rates, including in-hospital and 30-day outcomes, are comparable to those observed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), long-term data often favor CABG in specific patient populations. Multiple studies have demonstrated superior long-term survival with CABG over PCI in patients with multivessel disease, left main CAD, and comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Perioperative morbidity and mortality are significantly influenced by patient-specific risk factors, such as advanced age, female sex, reduced ejection fraction, and elevated biomarkers (e.g., troponin, NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein). Since its introduction in the 1960s, CABG techniques have evolved with off-pump and minimally invasive approaches offering reduced hospital length of stay, shorter intensive care unit duration, and lower transfusion requirements, while maintaining comparable safety and efficacy to conventional on-pump surgery. In addition, graft selection is an important determinant of long-term success of CABG. In conclusion, CABG continues to be a highly effective revascularization strategy. Surgical technique, graft type, and careful patient selection remain essential to optimizing both perioperative safety and long-term outcome.

Keywords

coronary artery bypass grafting - coronary artery disease - surgical outcomes - perioperative complications - graft patency - long-term survival - postoperative mortality


Publication History

Article published online:
29 July 2025

© 2025. International College of Angiology. This article is published by Thieme.

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