Mid- and long-term prognosis of off- vs. on-pump coronary artery bypass graft in patients with multisite artery disease

BACKGROUND: Among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), around 25% have multisite artery disease (MSAD). Patients with CAD and MSAD are at higher risk of peri-operative and long-term cardiovascular events. Whether off-pump coronary bypass grafting (CABG) can improve their prognosis is unknown. We aimed to assess the benefits of off- vs. on-pump cardiac surgery in patients undergoing CABG, according to coexistence of extra-cardiac artery disease. METHODS: Between April 1998 and September 2008, 1221 patients undergoing CABG without any other intervention were enrolled. Overall death and major cardiovascular events were recorded at 1-month and during long-term follow-up. A propensity score (PS), derived from all relevant variables (P<0.25) associated with on-pump as compared to off-pump CABG, and representing the likelihood for each individual patient to receive off-pump CABG, was calculated. RESULTS: MSAD was observed in 279 patients (23%). Off-pump CABG was performed in 208 (17%) patients. The median follow-up was 7.6 years. The 10-year mortality was significantly lower in off- vs. on-pump CABG group (74 +/- 4% vs. 68 +/- 2%, P=0.024). In patients with MSAD, there was a trend for better survival for off- vs. on-pump CABG (63 +/- 8% vs. 50 +/- 4%, P=0.078). After adjustment for PS, we found no further difference between on- and off-pump CABG both in the whole cohort (HR=1.30, P.10), as well as in MSAD patients (HR=1.51, P=0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MSAD receiving CABG are at worst prognostic than those with isolated CAD. In these patients, we found no significant difference in the long-term mortality and cardiovascular events between on- and off-pump CABG.