Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery and Lung Resection for Lung Cancer in Patients More than 50 Years-of-Age

BACKGROUND:The co-existence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and lung cancer is increasing in an increasingly aging population. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome from combined off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and lung resection in patients more than 50 years-of-age. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A retrospective clinical study of 23 patients with a mean age of 70.2±8.4 years (range, 51–86 years) included 18 men and five women with CHD and lung cancer who underwent a single operation with combined off-pump CABG surgery and lung resection, for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n=22) and small cell lung cancer (n=1). Surgical approaches included: median sternotomy in six patients; left lateral thoracotomy in nine patients; a median sternotomy in three patients; median sternotomy combined with thoracoscopic lobectomy in five patients. RESULTS:In the retrospective study of 23 patients, there were no deaths and no new cases of myocardial infarction (MI) in the immediate perioperative period. During the follow-up period, six patients died from lung cancer metastasis or recurrence; one patient died of acute renal failure; and one patient died from the effects of chemotherapy. The remaining 15 patients underwent postoperative follow-up for between 3–79 months with no deaths and no new cases of MI. CONCLUSIONS:For patients who are more than 50 years-of-age and who have CHD and lung cancer, a single combined operation that includes off-pump CABG and lung resection can be safe and effective.