Surgical management of coexisting coronary artery and valvular heart disease

PURPOSE: Combined coronary artery bypass (CAB) and valve surgery is one of the most challenging surgical procedures, but the operative results have improved over the years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1989 through 2004, combined CAB and valve operations were performed in 125 patients. Mean age was 63 years, and 86 patients were male. Forty-six patients were diagnosed with coronary artery disease during preoperative evaluation for valvular heart disease (VHD). All patients underwent CAB, and one or more underwent valve replacement or repair (mitral: 54, aortic: 61, tricuspid: 3, DVR: 7) simultaneously. RESULTS: Mean number of distal graft was 1.98 +/- 1.07, and LIMA was used in 68% of patients. Early mortality occurred in 6 patients (4.8%), and the causes were heart failure (4) and sepsis (2). Mean follow-up duration was 91.4 +/- 40.9 months (range: 47-245), and late mortality occurred in 4 patients. Kaplan Meier estimated survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 94.4 %, 92.3%, and 89.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined coronary and valve operations can be performed safely with optimal surgical results. Although the surgical mortality of coexisting coronary and VHD is higher than either isolated coronary or valvular operations, it may not affect the long-term survivalope