The association of timing of coronary artery bypass grafting for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and clinical outcomes in the contemporary United States

Background In contrast to the timing of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, the optimal timing of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has not been determined. Therefore, we compared in-hospital outcomes according to different time intervals to CABG surgery in a contemporary NSTEMI population in the USA. Methods We identified all NSTEMI hospitalizations from 2016 to 2020 where revascularization was performed with CABG. We excluded NSTEMI with high-risk features using prespecified criteria. CABG was stratified into <= 24 h, 24-72 h, 72-120 h, and >120 h from admission. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, perioperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. Results A total of 147 170 NSTEMI hospitalizations where CABG was performed were assessed. A greater percentage of females, Blacks, and Hispanics experienced delays to CABG surgery. No difference in in-hospital mortality was observed, but CABG at 72-120 h and at >120 h was associated with higher odds of non-home discharge and acute kidney injury compared with CABG at <= 24 h from admission. In addition to these differences, CABG at >120 h was associated with higher odds of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and need for blood transfusion. All 3 groups with CABG delayed >24 h had longer LOS and hospital-associated costs compared with hospitalizations where CABG was performed at <= 24 h. Conclusion CABG delays in patients with NSTEMI are more frequently experienced by women and minority populations and are associated with an increased burden of complications and healthcare cost.