Clinical and operative characteristics of patients randomized to coronary artery bypass surgery in the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation (BARI)

Abstract

The surgical cohort of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) is the largest group of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease randomly assigned to surgical treatment. This report presents baseline and operative characteristics of the cohort and describes some aspects of the variability in surgical practice among the 14 primary clinical centers and 4 co-investigational sites participating in BARI. Preoperative clinical and angiographic data and intraoperative variables were reviewed in 892 patients who were randomly assigned to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and underwent operation. Associations between patient/lesion variables and operative characteristics are described. Of patients assigned to CABG, 87% underwent an operation within 2 weeks of randomization, as recommended in the protocol. Mean age of the 892 patients was 61 years, and mean age of the 235 women was greater than that of men (64 years vs 60 years); 64% of the surgical patients were classified as having unstable angina during the 6 weeks prior to randomization. Coronary angiography demonstrated 3-vessel disease (50% diameter narrowing by caliper measurement) in 41% of patients, and disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery was present in 87% of patients. A mean of 3.1 coronary arteries per patient were bypassed, and 82% of patients received 1 (70%) or 2 (12%) internal thoracic artery grafts. Prevalence of internal thoracic grafts was lower in elderly patients (74% of patients > or = 70 years), in women (72% vs 85% in men; p < 0.01), and in black participants (65%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)