TABLE 1—

Associations Between Patient Race and Potential Mediators of the Effects of Patient Race on Physician Recommendations for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (n=199)

Potential Mediator	Black (n = 88)	White (n = 111)	P
Physician characteristics, %
White	70	91	.01
Attending	89	92	NS
Female	9	6	NS
Cardiologist	88	90	NS
Clinical characteristics, %
Left main disease	10	19	.06
3-vessel disease	56	45	NS
Mean age, y	43	46	.01
Medicaid coverage or uninsured, %	21	3	.00
Physician perceptions of patient social and behavioral characteristics, %
Lacks social support	53	28	.01
Likely to overreport discomfort	45	31	.03
Has significant responsibility for family member	30	38	NS
Likely to fail to comply with medical advice	53	47	.02
Likely to have significant career demands	28	46	.01
Likely to abuse drugs	35	18	.03
Likely to initiate malpractice suit	39	40	NS
Desires physically active lifestyle	17	36	.01
Likely to participate in cardiac rehabilitation	37	53	.02
Likely to try to manipulate physician	37	36	NS
Self-controlled	64	74	NS
Educated	30	48	.01
Independent	57	58	NS
Responsible	69	78	NS
Irrational	32	24	NS
Unpleasant	29	22	NS
Intelligent	50	73	.000
Controlling	28	21	NS

Note. NS = nonsignificant. Data refer to men who were appropriate candidates for CABG but not for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.