Results of coronary artery bypass grafting by a single surgeon in patients with left ventricular ejection fractions < or = 30%.

Despite the ominous prognosis of severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction from coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in this setting remains controversial because of concerns over high operative risk and low likelihood of functional or survival benefit. We analyzed 135 consecutive patients (113 men, 22 women; age 42 to 87 years, mean 66.5) with LV ejection fraction (EF) < or =30% undergoing isolated CABG by 1 surgeon over an 8-year period. LVEF ranged from 10% to 30% (mean 23.6%). Preoperatively, 63% of patients had angina, 61% had heart failure (23% with pulmonary edema), and 24% manifested severe ventricular arrhythmia. The mean number of grafts was 2.7 per patient. The internal mammary artery was used in 103 of the 120 grafts (86%) to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Seven patients (5.2%) died in hospital. Only 2 of 99 patients (2%) not in intensive care preoperatively died in hospital. Angina class improved by 2.0 categories and congestive heart failure class by 1.5 categories. LVEF (assessed in 104 of 128 hospital survivors) improved from 24% preoperatively to 34% postoperatively (p <0.0001). At 1, 3, and 4.5 years respectively, all-cause survival was 87%, 81%, and 71%, and freedom from cardiac death was 90%, 85%, and 80%. CABG in patients with coronary artery disease and advanced LV dysfunction: (1) can be performed relatively safely, (2) achieves good long-term survival, (3) improves LVEF, (4) improves quality of life, and (5) can safely utilize the internal mammary artery as a conduit. The use of CABG is encouraged for patients with advanced LV dysfunction and may provide a viable alternative to transplantation in selected patients.