Insurability After Cardiac Surgery

To the Editor.— Dr. John W. Kirklin ( 219 :763,1972) in answer to a question concerning the insurability of an individual 12 years after repair of an ostium primum type of interatrial septal defect, stated: "It is highly likely that this individual has a normal life expectancy. He should be insurable at a normal or standard rate." Although I agree that any individual following successful surgery of a congenital cardiac lesion, such as described in this question, should be advised to live as though he had a normal life expectancy, there is no data to support this view. Repair of this defect has only been possible since the advent of the technique of cardiovascular bypass; and consequently, we do not have adequate, long-term experience on which to base an accurate decision. For this reason, I do not believe that it is incumbent upon insurance companies to accept such a patient at