Five-year survival after coronary bypass surgery.

The survival and mortality of 128 consecutive patients, who underwent coronary bypass surgery at this clinic between 1970 and 1974, was assessed. All survivors were followed for a minimum of 60 months after surgery. The operative mortality was 5.5%. With increased experience annual operative mortality declined to 1.6% in 1974. The insertion of IMA grafts were related to a significant lower operative mortality. Six survivors (5%) underwent repeat procedures within five years after surgery. The five-year survival rate, calculated with the actuarial method, was 87%. Congestive heart failure and triple vessel disease were significantly more common in patients who died of cardiac disease within five years after surgery.