Changes in working status of patients following coronary bypass surgery.

Coronary artery bypass surgery has gained a major role in the management of ischemic heart disease. Relief of symptoms is often the primary goal for these surgical procedures while other effects relating to rehabilitation of such patients have been neglected. To determine change in work status as a result of operation, job status and hours worked before and after surgery were analyzed in 350 patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Overall, there was no improvement in return to work or hours worked after surgery. Hours worked before surgery, relief of symptoms, severity of disease, number of bypass grafts placed, and level of education all related substantially to a change in work capacity. It appears that if the potential for enhanced productivity is to be realized, rehabilitative measures must be intensified following coronary artery surgery.