Surgical therapy of chronic heart failure and severe ventricular dysfunction

Even with multiple medical advancements, heart failure patients still have a dismal prognosis. Technologic improvements in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have led to the use of high-risk myocardial revascularization for the treatment of patients with heart failure and severe ventricular dysfunction. This article describes advances in cardiac surgery and their impact on the treatment of heart failure. Postoperative management of the heart failure patient is also discussed. Because patient selection is important in achieving positive surgical outcomes, the role of prospective severity risk score is also addressed.