Prognostic Implications of Severe Coronary Calcification in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: An Analysis of the SYNTAX Study

ObjectivesTo investigate the prognostic implications of the presence of severe lesion calcification in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation. BackgroundThere is robust evidence that lesion calcification is a predictor of worse prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention; however, there is limited data about the prognostic implication of lesion calcium in patients treated with CABG. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 1,545 patients who underwent CABG and were recruited in the SYNTAX study and CABG registry. Two experts reviewed the angiographic data and classified patients in two groups: those with severely calcified coronary arteries and those without severe lesion calcification. Clinical outcomes at 5-year follow-up were collected and compared in the two groups. ResultsOne out of three patients exhibited severe lesion calcification (n=588). Patients with calcified coronaries had an increased mortality at 5-year follow-up (17.1% vs. 9.9%, P