• Markus Malmberg, Antti Palomäki, SipiläJussi O TJOT0000-0003-0183-9054Department of Neurology, North Karelia Central Hospital, Siun Sote, Joensuu, Finland.Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland., Päivi Rautava, Jarmo Gunn, and Ville Kytö.
• Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
• Ann. Med. 2021 Dec 1; 53 (1): 151215191512-1519.

ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsPatients with RA (n = 378) were retrospectively compared to patients without RA (n = 7560), all treated with CABG in a multicentre, population-based cohort register study in Finland. The outcomes were studied with propensity score-matching adjustment for baseline features. The median follow-up was 9.7 years.ResultsDiagnosis of RA was associated with an increased risk of mortality after CABG compared to patients without RA (HR 1.50; CI 1.28-1.77; p < .0001). In addition, patients with RA were in higher risk of myocardial infarction during the follow-up period (HR 1.61; CI 1.28-2.04; p < .0001). Cumulative rate of repeated revascularization after CABG was 14.4% in RA patients and 12.0% in control patients (p = .060). Duration of RA before CABG (p = .011) and preoperative corticosteroid usage in RA (p = .041) were independently associated with higher mortality after CABG. There were no differences between the study groups in 30-d mortality or in the post-operative usage of cardiovascular medications.ConclusionsRA is independently associated with worse prognosis in coronary artery disease treated with CABG. Preoperative corticosteroid use and longer RA disease duration are additional risk factors for mortality.Key messagesPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have impaired long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).Glucocorticoid use before CABG and duration of RA are associated with higher mortality.Special attention should be paid in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in RA patients after CABG.

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