Efficacy of aneurysmectomy in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: favorable short- and long-term results in ischemic cardiomyopathy

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to (1) identify the functional results after aneurysm surgery in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and (2) identify predictors of favorable outcomes. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patients (n = 169) with angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction of 22 ± 5% underwent aneurysm surgery and were prospectively followed for three years. Prior to surgery, 40% and 60% of the patients were in congestive heart failure NYHA class I/II and III/IV, respectively. Concomitant revascularization was performed on 95% of the patients. RESULTS: Cumulative in-hospital and 36-month mortalities were 7% and 15%, respectively. These respective rates varied according to preoperative parameters: CHF class I-II, 4% and 13%; CHF class III-IV, 8% and 16%; LVEF,20%, 12% and 26%; LVEF 21-30%, 2% and 6%; gated LVEF exercise/rest .5%, ,1% and 4%; and gated LVEF exercise/rest #5%, 17% and 38%. Higher LVEF ex/rest ratio (p = 0.01), male sex (p = 0.05), and a higher number of grafts (p = 0.01) were predictive of improvement in CHF class at follow-up based on the results of a multivariate analysis. After three years of follow-up, 84% of the patients were in class I/II, LVEF was 45 ± 7%, and gated LVEF ex/rest ratio was 13% higher (p,0.01) compared to the beginning of the study. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that aneurysmectomy among patients with severe LV dysfunction result in short and long-term favorable functional outcome and survival. Selection of appropriate surgical candidates may substantially improve survival rates among these patients.