[Evaluation of late results of aortocoronary bypass in patients with ischemic heart disease in relation to the bypass function].

The authors analyse 82 patients with aggravation of their clinical condition in the late-term periods after aortocoronary shunting. All were subjected to coronaroshuntography 3.6 +/- +/- 0.5 years on the average, after the operation. The main noninvasive criteria of impaired functioning of the shunts were: increase of the degree of angina pectoris (functional class III-IV according to the Canadian classification), diminished tolerance to physical exertion, appearance of "active" myocardial ischemia. Disturbed functioning of the shunts was mainly manifested within the first year, while progression of atherosclerotic changes in the unshunted arteries--in later periods. The main causes of incompetence of the shunts were: small diameter of the shunted arteries, low rate of blood flow in the shunts, and feverish condition of patients lasting for a long time after the operation.