SURVIVAL AFTER LEFT-VENTRICULAR ANEURYSMECTOMY WITH OR WITHOUT CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT

Background: The objective.of the study was to examine the effect on long-term survival of left ventricular aneurysm resection as well as the influence of concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: The outcome of the surgery was documented in 105 consecutive patients with left ventricular aneurysm between 1974 and 1984 by examining hospital records and by writing to their doctors. The patients were divided into four groups: those who had resection alone and 1- 2- or 3 or more vessel bypass grafting. The results were analyzed using the statistical package Statistical Analysis System (SAS institute Inc, Cary, NC). Tests for trends in the mean values used the generalized linear model and the chi-squared test for trend was used to test for trend in proportions. Survival analysis used the life table method. Results: While operative mortality increased with the number of vessel grafts performed, the long-term survival was similar in all the groups. Conclusions: Successful revascularization was the determinant factor in long-term survival. The specific value of aneurysm resection on long term survival could only be defined by prospective randomized studies.