[Function improvement in levography following aortocoronary bypass]

Actively contracting segments, preoperatively akinetic, were found in 8 of 63 patients, evaluated 6-12 months after aortocoronary surgery by coronary angiography. Ejection fraction was increased from 48.1% (S.D. 15.7) to 68.3% (S.D. 11.4). These patients are characterized by two simple clinical parameters: 1. All patients had angina pectoris at rest or at minimum exercise except for one; 2. preoperatively, there was a discrepancy between severe ventriculographic and discreet Ecg findings. These findings prove that myocardial function in coronary artery disease can be impaired at rest by ischemia, without clinical signs of coronary insufficiency, such as angina pectoris. Even severe impairment of left ventricular function is no contraindication for coronary artery surgery, if caused by reversible myocardial ischemia.