Summary A comprehensive review is given of the literature, and the advantages and disadvantages of the bypass operation are discussed in detail. Of all surgical interventions aiming at revascularisation of the myocardium the aorto- coronary bypass operation is the one which indoubtedly has earned its place in cardiac surgery. The most suitable candidates for this operation are those with a normal left ventricular angiogram and a good peripheral vascular pattern. Even in these people the question still remains whether the vein can stay patent for many years; moreover what happens to the...