Surgical therapies for post-myocardial infarction patients

Occasionally, high-risk patients in the post-myocardial infarction (MI) period require surgical intervention for stabilization and/or revascularization. In a meta-analysis involving 3,088 patients with ischemic heart disease, revascularization was associated with nearly an 80% reduction in the risk of death. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is commonly performed in post-MI patients and is associated with more favorable outcomes than medical therapy. However, several factors have to be considered in proper patient selection for CABG, such as the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), severity of heart failure (HF), and myocardial viability. The ongoing Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial will assess the benefits of CABG in patients with both a low LVEF and HF. Unstable post-MI patients who fail revascularization can be managed via mechanical circulatory support devices or pumps. These options significantly improve hemodynamic parameters. In addition, other surgical techniques, such as mitral valve repair, ventricular reconstruction surgery, and atrial fibrillation ablation, are being evaluated in patients with ischemic heart disease.