Complete revascularization was more frequently accomplished by bypass surgery than by stent implantation. One year after bypass, there was no significant difference in event-free survival between surgically treated patients with complete revascularization and those with incomplete revascularization, but patients randomized to stenting with incomplete revascularization had a greater need for subsequent bypass surgery.

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Objectives To compare rates of revascularisation in south Asian and white patients undergoing coronary angiography in relation to the appropriateness of revascularisation and clinical outcome. Design Prospective cohort study of patients with two and a half years' follow up; appropriateness of revascularisation rated by nine experts with no knowledge of ethnicity of patient. Setting Tertiary cardiac centre in London with referral from five contiguous health authorities. Participants Consecutive patients (502 south Asian, 2974 white) undergoing coronary angiography in the appropriateness of coronary revascularisation study (ACRE). Main outcome measures Coronary revascularisation, non-fatal myocardial infarction, mortality. Results There was no difference between south Asian and white patients in the proportions deemed appropriate for revascularisation (72% (361) v 68% (2022)) or in the proportions for whom the physician's intended management was revascularisation (39% (196) v 41% (1218)). Among patients appropriate for revascularisation, age adjusted rates of coronary angioplasty (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47 to 1.00, P=0.058) and coronary artery bypass grafting (0.74, 0.58 to 0.91, P=0.007) were lower in south Asian than in white patients. These differences were smaller but still present after adjustment for socioeconomic status and after restriction of analysis to those patients for whom the intended management was revascularisation. There were no differences in mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction between south Asian and white patients (1.07, 0.78 to 1.47). Conclusion Among patients deemed appropriate for coronary artery bypass grafting, south Asian patients are less likely than white patients to receive it. This difference is not explained by physician bias.

Measurement of outcomes from medical or surgical interventions is part of good practice, but publication of individual doctors' results remains controversial. The authors discuss this issue in the context of cardiothoracic surgery

Our study has shown that when confounding variables are accounted for, ET is not a predictor of mortality following severe chest trauma. This implies that in a well-selected group of patients it may be a significant and life-saving procedure.