EXERCISE TOLERANCE AND WORK ABILITY FOLLOWING AORTOCORONARY BYPASS-SURGERY

This investigation was performed to study the reasons for receiving di sability pension after aortocoronary bypass surgery. During the period March 1983 to November 1985, 250 patients underwent aortocoronary byp ass surgery. At a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (range 3.6-6.7) after th e operation, 31 patients were dead. Of the 219 survivors, all except f our underwent a follow-up examination including an exercise test. The mean physical work capacity had increased from 92.2 W preoperatively t o 119.3 W at follow-up (p<0.001). At follow-up, however, 72 patients h ad received disability pension. The percentage of positive ECG-tests w ere equal among those who were working and those who had received disa bility pension. We suggest that, among those who had received disabili ty pension, about 50% were in sufficient physical condition to manage their previous jobs or another type of job. Reasons other than physica l working capacity played an important part as criteria for receiving disability pension.