The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass grafting represent a unique and high-risk population that remains challenging for cardiac surgeons. We examined the changing trends in patients undergoing emergency bypass grafting over the past 20 years. ⋯ Despite a changing preoperative risk profile, the operative mortality of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting has remained stable over the years. However, mortality remains significantly above the observed mortality in elective bypass grafting. Continued improvements in the management of heart failure and the care of the elderly will likely result in reduced risks of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting.