Coronary reoperations in patients with a patent internal mammary artery graft.

Abstract Objective: Analysis of short and long term results, clinical, functional and subjective status of patients, with a patent arterial graft, after coronary reoperation (RECABG). Methods: Perioperative and follow-up data of 71 patients, undergoing coronary reoperations (1987–8) were studied. A cross-sectional follow-up was conducted, functional evaluation by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and patient's evaluation of his life situation were registered. Results: Perioperative mortality was 7%. Eleven patients died during follow-up. The 12-month and 60-month survival was 96% and 80%. Event-free survival was 86% and 51%. Family doctors declared that 55/66 (83%) had benefitted from the coronary reoperations. New York Heart Association decreased significantly from 3.4±0.5 preoperative versus 1.5±0.4 postoperative. The mean DASI was 38.06±10.42. At the moment of the cross-sectional follow-up, 45/55 patients (82%) declared to have benefitted from the coronary reoperations. Conclusion: Improvement in New York Heart Association-class, good postoperative functional capacity, and patients positive evaluation, justify coronary reoperations in patients with a patent internal mammary artery graft.