Operative management of coronary artery disease with poor left ventricular function.

In order to evaluate CABG in patients with depressed left ventricular function, 117 patients with an EF under 35 percent were analyzed. All patients had angina pectoris. Congestive heart failure was present in 38 percent, and one or more myocardial infarctions in 90 percent. The period of followup was up to 72 months. The hospital mortality rate was 4 percent and the late mortality rate 6 percent. Although ideal randomized trials comparing surgical and medical therapy in patients with angina and depressed left ventricular function are not available, we nevertheless believe that CABG should be available to this subset of patients. The majority of these patients will derive clinical benefit from CABG.