Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Coronary Artery Revascularization
Published on: September 15, 2023
Ejection Fraction Recovery after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Vasileios Ntinopoulos1, Nestoras Papadopoulos1, Dragan Odavic1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Municipal Hospital Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland.
Insights
Coronary artery bypass grafting improves left ventricular systolic function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Ejection fraction significantly increases within one year after surgery, indicating functional recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Controversy exists regarding left ventricular systolic function recovery post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
- This study evaluates the temporal changes in left ventricular systolic function after CABG in this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the evolution of left ventricular systolic function after CABG in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
- To determine the extent and timing of functional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 50 patients with coronary artery disease and LVEF ≤35% who underwent isolated CABG.
- Echocardiographic and clinical data were analyzed at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Median LVEF improved significantly at 3 months (15% increase) and 1 year (23% increase) post-CABG (p<0.0001).
- A substantial increase (≥10%) in LVEF was observed in 74.4% of patients at 3 months and 78.9% at 1 year.
- In-hospital mortality was 8%, and 1-year mortality was 12%, with low rates of perioperative complications.
Conclusions:
- Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing CABG experience continuous recovery of left ventricular systolic function during the first postoperative year.
- CABG is associated with significant functional improvement in this high-risk group.
Background:
Controversy exists about left ventricular systolic function recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the temporal evolvement of left ventricular systolic function after coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 50 patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in a single center in the period 2017 to 2019. We performed a retrospective analysis of the echocardiographic and clinical follow-up data at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively.
Results:
Median LVEF preoperatively was 25% (20-33%), mean patient age was 66 ± 8.2 years, 33 (66%) patients were operated off-pump, and 22 (44%) procedures were non-elective. There was no in-hospital myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization. Three (6%) patients underwent re-exploration for bleeding or tamponade. In-hospital mortality was 8% and 1-year mortality was 12%. At 1 year postoperatively, there was no repeat revascularization, no myocardial infarction, 1 (2.6%) patient had a transient ischemic attack, and 10 (20%) patients required an implantable defibrillator. There was a statistically significant median ejection fraction increase at 3 months (15% [5-22%], p < 0.0001) and 1 year (23% [13-25%], p < 0.0001) postoperatively, with an absolute increase ≥10% in 32 (74.4%) and 30 (78.9%) patients at 3 months and 1 year, respectively.
Conclusion:
Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery show continuous recovery of left ventricular systolic function in the first postoperative year.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy