The following is a summary of “Quality of Life After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting,” published in the November 2023 issue of Cardiology by Dimagli et al.

This study aims to discern and compare the short- and long-term impacts of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients’ quality of life (QoL), an area lacking comprehensive characterization. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining CABG versus PCI, employing (SAQ)-Angina Frequency, SAQ-QoL, SAQ-Physical Limitations, EuroQoL-5D, and Short-Form Questionnaire, the researchers evaluated mean changes from baseline to 1, 6, 12, and 36 to 60 months (latest follow-up). Their analysis, encompassing 10,760 patients from five trials, demonstrated that both procedures exhibited substantial improvements in SAQ-Angina Frequency (>22 points) from baseline to 12 months and 36 to 60 months. 

While there was a similarity in mean changes between PCI and CABG at 1 month and 36 to 60 months, CABG displayed a slight advantage at 12 months (1.97 [95% CI, 0.68–3.26]). In terms of SAQ-QoL, PCI exhibited an advantage at 1 month (−2.92 [95% CI, −4.66 to −1.18]), while CABG showcased superiority at 6 (2.50 [95% CI, 1.02–3.97]), 12 (3.30 [95% CI, 1.78–4.82]), and 36 to 60 months (3.17 [95% CI, 0.54–5.80]). Similarly, SAQ-Physical Limitations (−12.61 [95% CI, −16.16 to −9.06]) and EuroQoL-5D (−0.07 [95% CI, −0.08 to −0.07]) favored PCI at 1 month, while Short-Form Questionnaire-Physical Component leaned toward CABG at 12 months (1.18 [95% CI, 0.46–1.90]). 

Ultimately, PCI and CABG demonstrated significant enhancements in long-term disease-specific and generic QoL, indicating comparable improvements despite nuanced differences at specific time points.

Source: ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.030069