Regression of coronary disease after bypass surgery: Urban myth or common finding?

Abstract

Objectives Coronary artery disease has been viewed as a relentless, progressive disease. We sought to describe the prevalence and distribution of regression of native vessel disease in coronary artery bypass patients and characterize its relationship with bypass grafting. Methods Among 619 patients who underwent bypass surgery in a radial artery trial, 405 had follow-up angiography available a mean of 6.2 ± 3.1 years (range, 0-14) after surgery. The percentage of diameter stenosis of each major native coronary vessel was reported by 3 cardiac specialists and classified into grades of nonflow limiting (0%-39%), moderate (40%-69%), flow limiting (70%-80%), severely stenosed (81%-99%), and occl..