Purpose: To determine early and late results of surgical myocardial revascularization (SMR) in young patients.
Methods: We studied retrospectively 73 patients aging less than 40 years and submitted to SMR between 1975 and 1989. The method used was patient card review and thelephone contact with the patient or his physician.
Results: Follow-up was obtained in all cases in a period of 2 to 185 (59.9 +/- 41.0) months. Of the coronary risk factors smoking was the most frequent. One vessel coronary artery disease was observed in 16 (21.9%) patients, 2 and 3 vessel coronary artery disease in 26 (35.6%) and 32 (43.8%) patients respectively. SMR was considered complete in 68 (93.2%) patients. An associated procedure was performed on 10 cases: Left ventricular aneurysm repair in 9 (12.3%) and mitral valve replacement in one (1.4%). Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in 7 (9.5%) patients and one of them died (operative mortality: 1.4%). During follow-up, 6 (8.3%) patients died with an actuarial survival rate of 89.1% at 15 years. An event free survival rate of 68.3% was observed at 10 years. From 66 survivors, 53 (80.3%) were asymptomatic at late follow-up and 48 (72.7%) patients returned to work.
Conclusion: Surgical myocardial revascularization in young patients associated with medical treatment, has good early and late results with a high percentage of patients asymptomatic and reemployed at a late follow-up.