[Factors influencing the results of aortocoronary bypass in a homogeneous series of 125 surgical patients].

A group of 125 patients having undergone aortocoronary bypass by saphenous graft was studied from the point of view of short and medium term results. The following emerged as factors likely to influence these results: --the technique used in the anastamoses and the quality of peroperative myocardial protection; --the presence of hyperlipidaemia; --the restrictive choice of indications in relation to the results of coronary arteriography; --the presence of cardiac insufficiency or an associated valvular lesion. Overall operative mortality was 8 p. cent. Routine ECG's and enzyme studies were carried out to detect postoperative myocardial necrosis. 4 postoperative infarctions without clinical symptoms or signs were detected (2.4 p. cent). 26 patients underwent surgery as an emergency with simultaneous coronary arteriography and surgery in 24. The mortality in this group was not greater (7.6 p. cent) than in the group as a whole. By contrast, mortality was greater in the presence of cardiac insufficiency (25 p. cent) or an associated valvular lesion (16.5 p. cent).