Risk-stratification parameters in patient selection for coronary artery bypass grafting

This article reviews mortality data from several large databases reporting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) results, with particular emphasis on the New York State experience. It reports effects of major risk factors, including recent myocardial infarction, comorbidities, age, and gender. Data relating individual surgeons’ practice volume to outcome are reviewed, as are studies on adverse cerebral outcomes after CABG. Also discussed are risk stratification by standard and nuclear stress testing and the implications of risk assessment for the choice of either surgical intervention or medical therapy.