The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 548-558, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Acute effects of aortocoronary bypass surgery on left ventricular function and regional myocardial mechanics: a clinical study
S Hagl, H Meisner, W Heimisch and F Sebening
The acute effects of myocardial revascularization on overall left
ventricular performance and on myocardial segmental wall motion were
assessed intraoperatively in 22 patients who had unstable (11 patients) or
stable angina pectoris (11 patients). Segmental contraction patterns were
evaluated using an ultrasonic transit-time method. In 9 patients with
unstable angina pectoris, notable improvement in segmental wall motion was
observed as the short-term response to coronary bypass grafting.
Hypokinetic patterns were rendered normal after revascularization. Despite
marked changes in segmental myocardial function, overall left ventricular
performance was not altered notably. In contrast, reperfusion did not lead
to acute effects on either segmental wall motion or total left ventricular
function in patients with stable angina pectoris. The results indicate that
aortocoronary bypass grafting may improve segmental wall motion in patients
with unstable angina.