Long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting patients supported preoperatively with an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Objective: Most studies describing the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting patients supported preoperatively with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) have reported early results. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the early and long-term results.

Methods: Of 2658 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures performed from 1996 to 2001, 215 were supported preoperatively with an IABP. The indications for IABP insertion were cardiogenic shock in 18 (8.4%), acute evolving myocardial infarction in 38 (17.7%), clinical instability in 84 (39.1%), and critical coronary lesions in 75 (34.9%).

Results: Operative mortality was 12.6%. The mortality of the cardiogenic shock patients was greater (22.2%; P=.174). Logistic regression analysis showed patient age (odds ratio, 1.057; 95% confidence interval, 1.010-1.108) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (odds ratio, 1.020; 95% confidence interval, 1.008-1.031) were associated with increased operative mortality. An increased number of bypass grafts had a protective effect (odds ratio, 0.241; 95% confidence interval, 0.113-0.515). The actual early mortality was lower than the logistic EuroSCORE calculated mortality (12.6% vs 32.8%, P<.0001). The mean follow-up was 8±4 years. The Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival was 49%. The Cox adjusted overall (early and late) survival and major adverse cardiac events-free survival of the different IABP subgroups was similar. Cox analyses showed peripheral vascular disease, off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, age, CPB time, female gender, and fewer bypass grafts were associated with decreased survival.

Conclusions: In patients supported preoperatively with an IABP, better early and long-term results were strongly related to younger age, a shorter CPB time, and a greater number of bypass grafts. Avoiding the use of CPB (off pump) in these emergency cases is not recommended.