Evidence that revascularization by ventricular-internal mammary artery implants increases longevity. Twenty-four year, nine month follow-up.

Revascularization of the heart is a means of relieving symptoms of coronary artery disease--such as angina, fatigue, and dyspnea. The question of whether revascularization prolongs the life of the patient has been debated. My colleagues and I have reviewed our years of experience with patients treated by implantation of internal mammary arteries into the ventricles. We have compared our series with other groups of patients treated medically. Our conclusion is that revascularization via internal mammary artery implants does increase longevity.