[Prognosis for coronary patients with low ejection fraction. Comparison between a medically and a surgically treated...

Two groups of coronary patients whose ejection fraction was depressed (less than or equal to 0.30) were studied. Twelve patients received drug treatment only and 25 others underwent surgery. Life expectancy appears to be slightly improved in the surgical group, but the differences are not statistically significant. Since operative mortality is relatively low (8%) and clinical improvement following surgery may be impressive, a revascularization procedure should be considered even in patients with markedly impaired ventricular function.