Does coronary bypass surgery improve long-term survival?

Abstract

The question posed by the title implies comparison of coronary bypass surgery with some alternative therapeutic approach. At present, there are three principal alternatives: no treatment, medical therapy, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Admitting that definitive data on long-term survival are lacking, the clinician is faced with a choice based on incomplete knowledge—a common dilemma in clinical practice. This discussion is restricted to symptomatic coronary artery disease.