Do Patients Profit from Third Time CABG?

Introduction: It has been shown that in experienced hands repeated CABG is doable procedure. However the quality of life after third time CABG has not been evaluated so far. Patients and Methods: The peri-operative data of 25 (22 male, mean age of 65.5 ± 8.0 years) consecutive patients in a single centre undergoing third time-CABG from 4/96 to 11/06 were studied. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by Short Form (SF)-36 Questionnaire. Results: 30 day mortality was 12% (3/25). Seven died during follow-up. In 15 survivors median follow-up was 94 months (2–122 months). 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival were 77.8%, 65.0%, and 53.1%, respectively. Present NYHA status was significantly improved in comparison to preoperative values (2.4 ± 0.8 vs. 3.2 ± 0.56, p = 0.012). QoL was comparable with an age matched general population with heart insufficiency. Conclusion: Third time CABG can be performed with acceptable peri-operative mortality. Significant improvement of NYHA status and acceptable quality of life results justifies our surgical approach in this challenging patient cohort.