Delays for coronary artery bypass surgery: how long is too long?

Abstract

When access to elective surgery is rationed by wait lists, patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting may have to wait after a decision to operate has been made. The current literature suggests that a long wait for planned surgical revascularization may lead to worsening of symptoms, deterioration in the patient’s condition and a less favorable clinical outcome; it may also increase the probability of preoperative death and unplanned emergency admission. Yet there has been little evidence generated by appropriate statistical methodology that bears on the health effects of a delay in undergoing the operation. In this article, we present three potential approaches for summarizing wait-list data. We also discuss the utility of each method for determining the point at which a delay in waiting for coronary artery bypass surgery becomes too long, from the perspectives of hospital managers, surgeons and patients.

Keywords::

• coronary artery bypass grafting
• impact
• methods
• surgical delays
• wait lists

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The writing of this article was made possible, in part, through funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.