Emergency coronary surgery: Evolving indications

Between December 1970 and October 1973, 74 patients underwent emergency myocardial revascularization for the relief of acute coronary insufficiency. Through our experience in this area, we have established three categories for which we perform emergency surgery. The first of these is cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction for which 14 patients underwent emergency saphenous vein grafting. Seven of these patients expired during operation and one died three months after operation. The second category is acute unstable myocardial infarction for which 25 patients received surgery. There were no operative deaths in this group, but two patients died at six weeks and four months after operation. Thrity-five patients were classified as pre-infarctional angina, the third category for which we perform surgery on an emergency basis. There was one operative death and two late deaths at four and ten months in this group of patients. Our experience suggests that immediate coronary angiography and revascularization will improve survival in the three above-named categories.