Long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: The aim of this study was to define the potential for long-term survival with severe left ventricular dysfunction after coronary bypass and to quantify any improvement in overall functional status.

Methods: Left ventricular dysfunction was confirmed preoperatively and the long-term survival and functional outcome after bypass was determined by follow-up studies obtained during the span of a decade.

Results: From 1/1990 to 12/1999, 86 patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (mean ejection fraction, 0.