Metabolic syndrome does not impact survival in patients treated for coronary artery disease

Objectives We evaluated the effect of metabolic syndrome (a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease) on survival in patients with established coronary artery disease. Methods Survival was determined for 2886 patients with coronary artery disease diagnosed by cardiac catheterization performed between 1990 and 2005 at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Variables obtained from the computerized medical record were evaluated in multivariate analysis by Cox regression. The analysis was performed for the entire population; separate analyses were performed for patient cohorts treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and medication (n = 1274), coronary artery bypass grafting and medication (n = 1096), or medication alone (n = 516). Results Although age (odds ratio 0.948; P<0.000), left ventricular function (odds ratio 0.701; P<0.000), serum creatinine (odds ratio 0.841; P<0.000), and smoking (odds ratio 0.873; P= 0.019) were all strong predictors of mortality. Metabolic syndrome had no independent effect irrespective of diabetic status. Conclusion Metabolic syndrome does not impact survival patients with coronary artery disease treated by revascularization and/or medical therapy.