Staged Versus Synchronous Carotid Endarterectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Analysis of 10-Year Nationwide Outcomes

Background. The timing of operative interventions for patients with concurrent carotid and coronary artery disease is controversial. We evaluated nationwide data regarding staged or synchronous carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and compared the two approaches' outcome profiles. Methods. From Nationwide Inpatient Sample database 1998 to 2007, we identified 6,153 (28.9%) patients who underwent CEA before or after CABG during the same hospital admission but not on the same day (STAGED) and 16,639 patients who underwent both procedures on the same day (SYNC). Hierarchic multivariable regression was used to assess the independent effect of operative strategy on mortality, neurologic and overall complications, and charges. Results. Mean age (69.5 +/- 9.0 years) and Charlson-Deyo score (4.6 +/- 1.5) were similar for both groups. Mortality (4.2% vs 4.5%) or neurologic complications (3.5% vs 3.9%) were similar between the STAGED and SYNC groups (p > 0.7 for both). The STAGED patients had higher morbidity (48.4% vs 42.6%; odds ratio [OR] 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 2.2; p < 0.001) and more cardiac (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 1.7; p < 0.001), wound (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.4; p < 0.001), respiratory (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.3; p = 0.001), and renal complications (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.3; p < 0.001). In SYNC patients, on-pump CABG increased stroke rates (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 1.9; p < 0.001). The STAGED procedures were independently associated with higher hospital charges by $ 23,328 (p < 0.001). Conclusions. We identified no significant difference in mortality or neurologic complications between STAGED and SYNC approaches. Staged procedures were associated with a greater risk of overall complications and higher hospital charges than SYNC. On-pump CABG was associated with higher stroke rates in SYNC patients. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011; 91: 1323-9) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons