Abstract
There is a tendency to equate left main (LM) and left main equivalent (LME) coronary artery disease in terms of the surgical risk and benefit. Eighty-seven patients with LM disease were compared to 78 patients with LME disease as to operative mortality rate and long-term benefits. One hundred percent follow-up was obtained. Although the two groups were similar preoperatively with regard to age, sex, and ventricular function, the operative results in the two groups differed. There was a significantly higher operative mortality rate in the LM group of patients (12.6% versus 2.5%). However, the incidence of graft patency and relief of symptoms was lower in the LME group of patients. The late mortality rate was 4% in both groups. LME disease appears to represent a subgroup of patients with three-vessel disease and cannot be equated with LM disease.
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