Dr.S.Venkatesan MD

The answer to this question  is not  easy  , as   one  would tend to believe . In fact this question , takes it for granted     revascularisation  will  improve the LV dysfunction in patients  with severe LV dysfunction.

The truth is , we  are not sure   about the mechanisms . How   revasculariastion  will have an effect  on  chronically dying or dead myocardium  ? (Acutely dying myocardium is a different story, where revascualrisation has a profound effect , that is called salvaging the myocardium )

This  issue is  of great clinical significance  in end stage ischemic heart disease  .A typical  myocardial segment in ischemic cardiomyopathy  has millions of  the dead cells  interwoven with dying cells  with  occasional  clusters if live cells scattered all over .Once the process of myocardial apotosis sets in ,  myocardial cell death does not result  in segmental destruction  instead  an universal cell death.(Paracrine signals of  cell death that spills over to adjacent segments  )  The current standards of revascualrisation (PCI and CABG) aims to provide blood flow  in a segmental fashion. Even if the blood flow is restored in an obstructive vessel it is not clear , how it is going to enter the chronically atrophied myocytes.

Meanwhile , many studies are available   suggesting  coronary revascularisation does indeed improve LV dysfunction. These  evidence has never been  conclusive .Real world experience would also  confirm this  simple fact , that   angina relief is definite following revascularisation but not dyspnea  relief  in patients  with LV dysfunction .

So ,  when seeking the  guidelines  for revascularisation  ( PCI or CABG )  in patients  with CAD one need to ask  this  specific  question

Does the patient has

A.Angina alone

B.Angina and dyspnea

C.Only  dyspnea

If the answer is C ,  assess the patient again , rule out systemic causes of dyspnea (Anemia, renal function etc)  rethink  or postpone  revascularisation.If primary  or secondary LV muscle dysfunction has set in revascularisation has little value.

Also read

Viable myocardium