Further evaluation of the surgical treatment of obstructive disease of the left main coronary artery.

A protocol for the operative management of two patient groups with left main coronary artery disease has been evaluated. The period prior to and during induction of anesthesia is managed without using aortic balloon counterpulsation. Of the 86 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass for left main coronary artery disease from 1970 to 1973, there was a surgical mortality of 8.1%. Follow-up of the survivors from 48 to 87 months revealed three coronary and five non-coronary related deaths with survival to seven years of 75.6 +/- 5%. If the operative mortality is excluded, there is an observed survival to seven years of 82.4 +/- 4.8%, almost the same as a "normal" population of similar age and sex. Utilizing the same protocol, 90 similar patients undergoing coronary artery bypass in 1976 had an operative mortality of 4.4%. The deaths were not related to induction of anesthesia. The perioperative infarction rate (2%) and postoperative cardiac enzyme determinations were no greater in a random group having the same operation for less severe forms of coronary artery disease during the same time period. This method of management for patients with significant left main coronary artery disease is judged superior to other more complex techniques.