Coronary artery surgery study (CASS): A randomized trial of coronary artery bypass surgery: Comparability of entry characteristics and survival in randomized patients and nonrandomized patients meeting randomization criteria

摘要: The Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) includes a randomized trial of coronary artery bypass surgery and medical therapy in the management patients with mild or moderate stable angina pectoris free but documented history myocardial infarction. While 780 at 11 participating institutions entered trial, 1,315 same met randomization criteria declined participation study; they constitute “randomiz-able” patients. Half were assigned to half group. Of randomizable patients, 43% started surgical 57% Follow-up periods average 64 months (range 46 92). only entry characteristic which groups differ importantly is extent disease, less extensive latter. two also this respect, more disease At 5 year follow-up, 24% medically-assigned 22% medically-started have had surgery. Survival medically-randomized patient similar aggregate (both 92% years) all subgroups based on clinical classification, number diseased vessels, presence proximal left anterior descending ejection fraction. for surgically-assigned surgically-started (95 94%, respectively) subgroups. It concluded that CASS are not special atypical subset those eligible randomization. data from thus support extend inference generally very good survival both medically- trial.