[Occupational rehabilitation following aorto-coronary bypass operations]

Resumption of work after aorto-coronary bypass surgery was studied in 317 patients with a mean age of 51 years. 217 patients who underwent surgery between 1975 and 1978 were studied retrospectively (group I) and 100 patients operated upon between 1979 and 1980 prospectively (group II). A coronary control study was performed in 106 patients of group I and in all patients of group II. Age, postoperative NYHA class, and pre- and postoperative ejection fraction did not differ in the two groups. Significant differences between the two groups were found regarding preoperative NYHA class (2.9 vs 2.5), amount of diseased coronary vessels (2.3 vs 2.6), number of bypass grafts (2.4 vs 3,2, all p's less than 0.001) and graft patency rate (70 vs 80%, p less than 0.025). One year after surgery 78% in group I and 84% in group II were back at work (ns). However, among the patients not working before surgery, 54% in group I and 73% in group II had returned to work (p less than 0.005), which indicates a greater success rate for aorto-coronary bypass grafting in recent years. Best predictors for resumption of work after surgery are relief of symptoms, normal work capacity in the bicycle test, duration of inability to work before surgery and type of occupation.