CORONARY-ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION - REOPERATIONS PERFORMED ON 124 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

The results of 124 coronary reoperations performed during a 9-yr period are reviewed, with the causes of failure of the initial operations and technical considerations in the reoperation procedures. The reoperative experience provided considerable insight as to why an initial revascularization might be unsuccessful. The 3 basic mechanisms which appeared to lead to recurrence of symptoms or late infarction following coronary bypass were inadequate initial revascularization, graft failure (occlusion or stenosis) and progression of disease in the native circulation. Means of prevention and surgical techniques are reviewed in detail.