History of surgical treatment of ischemic heart disease--pre-'coronary bypass grafting' era.
OBJECTIVE
To review the various concepts, surgical experiments, and actual procedures performed for the treatment of ischemic heart disease, which eventually led to the evolution of direct coronary artery bypass surgery.


METHODS
References were collected from original articles and through pubmed search.


RESULTS
Various concepts and procedures were introduced, all with the aim of increasing myocardial blood flow and relief of angina. These included creation of vascular adhesions, denervation, thyroidectomies, using other organs for providing blood supply, and intramyocardial implantation of bleeding systemic arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
Historically various innovative concepts existed and a variety of procedures were performed for treating ischemic myocardium, with variable results. These procedures continued till the evolution of direct coronary artery bypass grafting.
Kumar
Pawan
P
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. pawkum73@yahoo.com
Moussa
Fuad
F
Nesher
Nachum
N
Goldman
Bernard
B
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000266:history; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000266:history; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000266:history