[Spiroergometry in assessing the late results of the aortocoronary shunting operation]

The remote results of aorticocoronary shunting were studied in 105 patients (follow-up periods of 1 to 5 years and more). The values of bicycle ergometry and spiroergometry (rehabilitation coefficient, oxygen expenditure per 1 kgm of work, maximum oxygen consumption per 1 kg body mass during muscular exertion, effectiveness of work) were studied before and after operation. The data obtained were compared with the results of spiroergometry in 175 patients with various lesions of the coronary arteries identified by coronarography and in 50 healthy individuals. Spiroergometry is an effective method for diagnosing coronary atherosclerosis before performing coronarography. Patients with good postoperative results showed values which were close to normal; in poor results of surgery and in thrombosis of the coronary shunts initial values characteristic of atherosclertoic involvement of the coronary arteries are encountered. Increase of the effectiveness of work to normal, decrease in oxygen expediture per 1 kgm of work, diminution of maximum oxygen consumption per 1 kg body mass during muscular exertion in the remote postoperative period make it possible to presume, before performing coronarography, that the shunts are functioning. The study conducted allow bicycle ergometry and spiroergometry to be considered demonstrative functional methods for appraising the remote results of operation.