An unusual opportunity to reduce operative risk by combining cardiac and pulmonary procedures.

A case is presented of a successful triple combined procedure consisting of coronary artery bypass grafting, mitral valve replacement and pulmonary resection. Previous studies have shown the increased risk of surgery for coronary occlusive disease when combined with mitral valve replacement or when undertaken in the presence of obstructive lung disease. We believe this to be the first report describing the reduction of operative risk as a result of combining pulmonary resection with mitral valvular and coronary artery surgery.