The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 23, 9-13, Copyright © 1977 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Results of reoperation for recurrent angina pectoris
WI Norwood, LH Cohn and JJ Collins Jr
Although a coronary bypass operation improves the quality of life and
possibly prolongs it, a small percentage of patients do not have
satisfactory results and require reoperation. From July, 1970, to March
1975, 358 patients underwent coronary bypass for chronic disabling or
preinfarction angina. Angina requiring operation recurred in 24 men and 2
women. Hyperlipoproteinemia was present in 19 of the 26 (73%), and 3
patients had early-onset diabetes mellitus. Only 2 of 14 patients with
progression of arteriosclerosis were helped by a second operation. Of 7
patients with occluded grafts, local disease, and no progression, 5 were
helped by reoperation. Patients with occluded coronary bypass grafts
without progression of arteriosclerosis benefit substantially from a second
revascularization procedure. Aguarded prognosis must be held, however, for
those with progression of arteriosclerosis with hyperlipoproteinemia or
juvenile-onset diabetes who undergo reoperation. Patients with initially
diffuse disease and graft occlusion also seem to benefit less from a second
operation.