ANGIOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF CARDIAC DEATH AND MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION COMPLICATING MAJOR NONTHORACIC VASCULAR-SURGERY

In a case-control study of 63 patients undergoing major nonthoracic va scular surgery with prior cardiac catheterization, we found total coro nary occlusion serving viable myocardium and ''nonobstructive'' lesion s to br the most common proximate cause of preioperative myocardial in farction or death. The extent of coronary disease by several measures was significantly correlated with adverse outcome, and prior bypass su rgery appeared to be protective.