Study group consisted of 71 male and 19 female patients, mean age 54+/-10 years. There were no operative deaths. Survival rate was 73.3% during eight-year follow-up (11 cardiac and 13 non-cardiac deaths). Echocardiography was performed before index procedure and after 96+/-9 months. Statistically significant improvement in the LV ejection fraction was noted at follow-up examinations as compared to preoperative values (49.4+/-10.2% vs 42.5+/-10.9%, respectively, p<0.0001). Similarly, statistically significant reduction in the LV end-systolic (36.4+/-8 ml vs 59.2+/-29.1 ml, respectively, p<0.0001) and end-diastolic volumes (70.7+/-18.1 ml vs 101.4+/-32.1 ml, respectively, p<0.0001) were observed. NYHA class improved from baseline during the follow-up (3.1+/-0.8 vs 1.7+/-1.1, respectively, p<0.0001). Univariate analysis identified ejection fraction on admission and the presence of postoperative complications as predictors of long-term LV ejection fraction.