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Abstract

The number of patients with severe ventricular dysfunction from coronary artery disease is constantly increasing. Although the medical management of these patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers has favorable impact on the morbidity and mortality the overall prognosis is still poor. Historically many of these patients have been referred for transplantation. In the past few years there has been an increasing amount of information about the utility of surgical revascularization in patients with low ejection fraction. Careful patient selection and optimal perioperative management is of critical importance for good outcome. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be performed relatively safely despite the advanced level of left ventricular dysfunction. Quality of life is improved by CABG with elimination of angina and enhanced functional capacity. Improvement in the ejection fraction and increased survival after the operation has been objectively demonstrated. However patients with advanced right ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, redo bypass and ungraftable coronaries should be considered for heart transplantation. In this review we describe our experience and focus on pertinent issues in patient selection, perioperative management and long term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aortic Valve Replacement in the Failing Left Ventricle: Worthwhile?

“…A study from 2001, for example, followed 135 patients with an EF 35% who were treated with CABG. Post-op follow-ups revealed an average long-term EF increase of 10% and resolution or near-complete resolution of angina [ 29 ]. The operation was therefore beneficial from both a quality of life and a long-term survival perspective.…”