Should coronary artery bypass grafting be performed at the same time as repair of a post-infarct ventricular septal defect?

Objective: The value of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the time of repair of a post-infarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of CABG on early mortality and survival following repair of an acquired VSD. Methods: Over 23 years, 179 patients, 118 male, 61 female, mean age 66 years (range 43-80), have undergone repair of a post-related VSD in our unit. A total of 29 patients, who predominantly form the earlier part of the series, were operated on greater than 1 month after the infarct and are, therefore, excluded. Coronary angiography was performed in 98 (65.3%) of the remaining 150 patients. Of these, 41 had coronary artery disease (CAD) limited to the infarct-related vessel and 57 had additional significant CAD. Those with CAD limited to the infarct-related vessel were not grafted (Group A). Of those, 40 with significant CAD underwent CABG at the time of VSD repair (Group B) and 17 did not (Group c). In 52 patients the coronary anatomy was not documented (Group D). Risk factors for early mortality were evaluated using logistic regression. Actuarial survival was compared using log rank and Wilcoxon tests. Cox's proportional hazards method was used to determine factors affecting survival. Results: Overall, 30 day mortality was 32%. CABG did not significantly decrease operative mortality (logistic regression). There was no statistically significant difference in early mortality or actuarial survival between the four groups. CABG was not associated with an increased survival (Cox's method). Conclusions: Concomitant CABG at the time of VSD repair does not affect early mortality nor confer survival benefits. There seems to be no demonstrable benefit in revascularisation at the time of repair and, therefore, it may be unnecessary to perform CABG or coronary angiography in these patients.