Long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting in men and women: impact of gender factor (review)

The study of long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with different sexes has been a relevant problem of cardiology and heart surgery over the past thirty years. Female sex is an independent risk factors for worse outcomes in the long-term follow-up period after CABG according to many studies. However, there are publications suggesting that the results in women are better than in men in the long-term period after CABG. This literature review is devoted to studies of long-term complications and survival in patients after CABG depending on their gender. The evidence for gender differences after CABG is currently based on male-dominated studies. Most authors show that women have a higher degree of comorbidity. Another risk factor is age. Women undergo surgery at an older age. Besides, long-term survival is affected by the completeness of revascularization and multiarterial bypass grafting. Current diagnostic and treatment algorithms shift towards the assessment of coronary artery disease in men, which potentially may result in incorrect diagnosis or interpretation of existing disease and incorrect choice of treatment tactics in female patients. Despite large pool of accumulated data, this question remains open and requires new trials and continuing studies focusing on the impact of gender factor on the long-term survival.