Long-term survival following coronary bypass surgery in patients with significant impairment of left ventricular function.

Overview

To assess the influence of coronary revascularization on the long-term survival of patients with debilitating angina and significant impairment of left ventricular function, analysis was done of 62 consecutive patients with severe angina and hypokinetic left ventricles (LVED larger than or equal to 20) undergoing coronary bypass at N.Y.U. Medical Center between January, 1971 and May 1974. Follow-up was 98% complete, range 4 to 41 months with a mean of 23 months. Multiple bypasses were done in 94% of the group; a left-ventricular scar was excised in 16%. There were six operative deaths (mortality 9.7%) and three late deaths, all within eight months after operation. Angina was either absent or substantially improved in 90% of surviving patients. Life-table analysis shows a two-year survival of 85%, very similar to the survival rate for patients with good ventricular function. Hence, with current techniques impaired ventricular function is not a major contraindication to bypass grafting.