The role of surgical reperfusion in myocardial infarction.

The role of coronary artery bypass graft surgery during myocardial infarction is unclear. This article reviews worldwide results with this form of therapy. Included in the analysis are the effects of surgical reperfusion on left ventricular function, anginal classification following reperfusion, the effects of early versus late reperfusion, and an in-depth mortality analysis from multiple medical centers. It is concluded that surgery can be performed with a very low mortality in most patients with acute myocardial infarction, but the most appropriate form of therapy of acute myocardial infarction that will result in low mortality and morbidity remains a challenge for future investigation.