When should patients with acute myocardial infarction undergo CABG? A question much in need of a randomized clinical trial?

A significant fraction of patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) will undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for revascularization which is associated with increased mortality (1) compared to elective surgery. However, the optimal timing of when to perform CABG following myocardial infarction remains a matter of contention. The benefits of early revascularization include reducing ischemia and infarct expansion and lower utilization of resources. However, these are counterbalanced by the potential risks of early CABG that include increased hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias and bleeding from P2Y12 administration.
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research