Comparison of PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting
THE CONTEXT
The comparison describes procedural risks, recovery and subsequent events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Death and myocardial infarction
•
The listed death rate is below 0.5% for PCI and below 1.5% for CABG.
•
Myocardial infarction is listed at 2% for PCI and 10% for CABG. The table defines this outcome using CK-MB greater than twice normal.
Recovery
•
Hospital stay is 6–18 hours after PCI and 5–8 days after CABG.
•
Return to work is listed at 2–5 days after PCI and 6–12 weeks after CABG.
Subsequent events
•
Recurrent angina is listed at 15%–20% at six months after PCI and 10% at one year after CABG; these figures use different follow-up periods.
•
Repeat revascularisation at two years is listed at 10%–20% after PCI and 2% after CABG.
•
Neurological complications are described as rare after PCI and common after CABG.