Death, mode of death, morbidity, and rehospitalization after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to occurrence of and time since a previous myocardial infarction

To describe the prognosis during 2 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to occurrence of and time since a previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI), data of all patients in western Sweden who underwent CABG without simultaneous valve surgery in the period June 1988-June 1991 were evaluated. In all, 2120 patients were included in the analyses. OF these, 1296 (61%) had a history of AMI and 127 (6%) had suffered an AMI within the last month before CABG. Mortality during the first 30 days after CABC was for patients with no previous AMI, previous AMI > 30 days prior to CABG, and previous AMI less than or equal to 30 days prior to CABG 2.4%, 4.1%, and 5.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). The corresponding figures for the period between 30 days and 2 years after CABG were 3.6%, 4.4%, and 3.4% respectively (NS). In a multivariate analysis among patients with a previous AMI, a recent infarction (less than or equal to 30 days prior to CABG) did not turn out as an independent predictor of death during 2 years of follow-up. A history of AMI was associated with increased mortality during the first 30 days but not thereafter, but recent AMI was not an independent predictor of total 2-year mortality.