Long-term survival following aortocoronary artery bypass. Analysis of 4,522 consecutive patients.

At the Texas Heart Institute, from October 1969 through December 1974 a consecutive series of 4,522 patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass procedures was analyzed. Our experience with this procedure over a 5-year period demonstrated a decreasing operative and long-term mortality. This included patients who had aortocoronary bypass alone or in combination with other procedures such as resection of a left ventricular aneurysm or aortic and mitral valve procedures. Actuarial follow-up during the 5 years revealed mortality to be approximately 2.5% per year. Current operative mortality is less than 3.5% regardless of the number of grafts implanted. The rate of late myocardial infarction was only 4% for the entire series. Coronary artery bypass can be safely performed with minimal mortality and increased long-term survival.