Cardiovascular morbidity and CABG surgery--a perspective: epidemiology, costs, and potential therapeutic solutions.

Although substantial advances have been made in the management of cardiovascular disease, it remains the leading cause of death on the United States and many other countries, due to the impact of aging and other changes in patient demographics. Since cardiovascular complications are usually associated with stress, it is not surprising that perioperative complications (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, heart failure) occur in at least 10% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, with such complications consuming an additional $2 billion annually in health care resources. In addition, the limitations of the newly mandated cost-saving methods have and will continue to have an impact upon the delivery of health care to cardiovascular patients. However, research and clinical studies in this area hold the promise of appropriate and cost-effective therapeutic approaches.