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

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Patients with severe angina and impaired left ventricular function often face poor long-term prognoses.
• The role of coronary revascularization in this high-risk group remains a critical question in cardiac surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on long-term survival and symptom relief in patients with severe angina and hypokinetic left ventricles.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 62 consecutive patients with severe angina and impaired left ventricular function (LVED >= 20) undergoing CABG.
• Follow-up data was collected for a mean of 23 months (range 4-41 months), with 98% completeness.
• Life-table analysis was used to assess survival rates.

Main Results:

• 90% of surviving patients experienced significant improvement or complete resolution of angina.
• The operative mortality rate was 9.7% (6 deaths).
• Two-year survival rate was 85%, comparable to patients with preserved ventricular function.

Conclusions:

• Coronary revascularization via CABG is a viable and effective treatment for patients with severe angina and impaired left ventricular function.
• Impaired ventricular function should not be considered a major contraindication for bypass grafting in current surgical practice.