Coronary bypass surgery

Abstract

It would be surprising indeed if the concept of improving the circulation of the heart muscle by surgical means were immediately accepted by the great majority of the medical profession. Acceptance has been won gradually because individual physicians have been able to see the good results in their patients who have undergone such a procedure and because physicians have been made aware of the low associated morbidity and mortality. Evidence is accumulating that lives can be prolonged as well as improved in quality by such factors as return to gainful employment.

The papers in this symposium tell how and why myocardial revascularization works. They are well worth the careful attention of every physician, whether he or she believes in the efficacy of this technique or not, since many of us will inevitably have to deal with myocardial infarction and ischemia ourselves.