Surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms

An analysis of 37 patients surgically treated for left ventricular aneurysms provides preoperative clinical information regarding surgical risk. Operative mortality can be correlated with clinical and cardiac functional data as well as with the extent of coronary artery disease. Review of operative mortality in relation to the surgical procedure and the functional status of survivors indicates that aorto-coronary bypass grafting, complementary to aneurysmectomy, not only relieves angina pectoris, but also improves the functional status of the residual myocardium.