Is Total Arterial Grafting Superior to Multiarterial Grafting in Coronary Bypass?

Abstract

Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) is associated with improved long-term outcomes. However, there are limited data on the benefit of total arterial revascularization (TAR).Retrospective study of adult patients with multivessel disease undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in three centers between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2023. Patients were grouped according to the revascularization strategy (TAR vs. MAG). The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The cumulative incidence of MACCE was plotted using Kaplan Meier (KM) curves. The hazard ratio (HR) for TAG versus MAG was calculated using multivariate Cox models.Our cohort included 2,791 patients. About 1,048 (37.55%) underwent TAR and 1,743 (62.45%) underwent MAG, of whom 2,434 (87.21%) were male. Mean age was 61.6 ± 9.8 years in the TAR and 62.1 ± 9.1 years in the MAG. Median follow-up time was 101 months. The cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was 48.57% in the TAR and 42.4% in the MAG group. After multivariable adjustment, TAR had an HR of 1.05, 95% CI (0.93-1.18) for the primary outcome (p = 0.25). The mortality rate was 28.72% in the TAR and 23.06% in the MAG group.TAR showed no benefit over MAG at midterm follow-up.