Long-term follow-up after invasive approach of coronary artery disease in daily practice

Background: To assess long-term survival in unselected patients with coronary artery disease in who an invasive approach is considered. Methods: All patients with significant coronary artery disease who were presented for coronary revascularisation to two tertiary centres in 1992 were included. Follow-up data were collected in September 2002. Multivariate Cox' proportional-hazards regression analysis was applied to assess the independent relation between variables and 10-year survival. Results: A total of 877 patients were included in this analysis. Mean age was 62 and the most common clinical diagnosis was chronic stable angina (60%). Diabetes was present in 12% of the patients. During the follow-up period, 233 patients (27%) died. Predictors of long-term survival were increasing age, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and a decreased left ventricular function. Compared to medical treated patients, those treated with revascularisation (either by PCI or CABG) had a decreased long-term mortality (p