The first 1000 coronary artery repair operations in Toronto. The University of Toronto interhospital cardiovascular surgery group.

The present status of the aortocoronary bypass procedure is described in general terms by a review of the first 1040 patients who received this operation in Toronto, before November 15, 1973. The operative risk was related to the status of the left ventricular function. In those with fair or good ventricular function the risk of hospital mortality was less than 3% in the entire series and less than 2% in the past year. Advances in investigative and surgical techniques have allowed this operation to become an increasingly safe, effective and recommended procedure for patients suffering from medically intractable angina pectoris. The operation has been of great benefit to such individuals. In addition it has been an effective stimulus to research and development in Canadian cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.