The freedom trial: In appropriate patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease, CABG beats PCI

Abstract

The Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease (FREEDOM) trial (N Engl J Med 2012; 367:2375-2384) was designed to resolve the long-standing debate over the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease. At a median follow-up of 3.8 years, the incidence of the primary outcome (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) was significantly lower with bypass surgery than with percutaneous intervention.