Surgery for coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

A group of 41 patients presenting primarily with symptoms of congestive heart failure was investigated by coronary arteriography and myocardial revascularization. Of these patients 20 underwent resection of left ventricular aneurysm or left ventricular plication as well as revascularization. Revascularization plus resection of left ventricular aneurysm gives gratifying results, but revascularization in the presence of severe generalized hypokinesis is less satisfactory; however, the improvement in clinical condition in a sufficient number of patients is such that this approach to their management is justified. Accordingly, every patient with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure should be investigated by angiography. Numerous factors influence the results of revascularization for the relief of congestive heart failure; the most useful as a criterion to aid patient selection is left ventriculography. In this group of 41 patients 66% were helped by myocardial revascularization.