Is coronary bypass surgery the best treatment option?

The findings of randomized clinical trials comparing coronary artery bypass grafting to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analyzed in this literature review based on studies published from 2007 to mid-2013.  The focus was on patients with advanced coronary artery disease — and both treatment options were found to be reasonable for most patients.  An exception was patients with diabetes, for whom surgery was found to be the better choice.  The authors conclude that for patients with certain specific conditions, PCI should be preferred for patients with less complex blockages or patients who are classified as at high surgical risk.

Source: Deb, S., Wijeysundera, H.C., and others.  Coronary artery bypass graft surgery vs percutaneous interventions in coronary revascularization: a systematic review.  JAMA;310(19):2086-2095, Nov. 20, 2013.  Click here for full text: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/data/Journals/JAMA/929168/jrv130012.pdf  Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org