Symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea and factors associated with chest pain and dyspnea 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to describe (a) changes in physical activity and symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea during 10 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and (b) risk indicators for chest pain and dyspnea 10 years after CABG.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study in Western Sweden. The study includes all patients who underwent CABG without simultaneous valve surgery and with no previous CABG between June 1, 1988, and June 1, 1991. All patients were prospectively followed up for 10 years. Evaluation of symptoms took place via postal inquiries before, 5, and 10 years after the operation.

RESULTS

In all, 2,000 patients participated in a survey evaluating chest pain and dyspnea during 10 years after CABG. The overall 10-year mortality was 32%. The proportion of patients with no chest pain increased from 3% before surgery to 56% 5 years after the operation and 54% after 10 years. There was only one predictor for chest pain after 10 years and that was the duration of angina pectoris before surgery. The proportion of patients with no dyspnea increased from 12% before surgery to 40% after 5 years but decreased to 31% after 10 years. The most significant predictors for dyspnea after 10 years were female sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high age, duration of angina pectoris, functional class before CABG, and number of days in intensive care unit after CABG.

CONCLUSION

During 10 years after CABG, one third died. After 10 years, 54% of the survivors were free from chest pain and 31% were free from dyspnea. Predictors for chest pain and dyspnea could be defined and reflected age, history, sex, obesity, preoperative complications, and symptom severity.