Coronary artery revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to report our recent experience with off-pump coronary artery revascularization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 1998 and July 2002, 80 off-pump beating heart operations were performed at Vilnius University Hospital Heart Surgery Clinic, representing 4.05% of all coronary artery revascularization. This cohort of patients was compared with 241 patients operated on with cardiopulmonary by pass. RESULTS: Mean age and preoperative risk factors were comparable for the two groups. On average, 2.02+/-0.86 and 4.09+/-1.09 grafts per patient were completed in the beating and cardiopulmonary bypass groups, respectively. Operation time was shorter in the beating heart group (169+/-41 vs. 215+/-59 minutes). Similarly, the need for transfusion was significantly smaller in the beating heart group (beating heart operations, 10%; cardiopulmonary bypass, 28%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In majority of patients, off-pump coronary artery revascularization is an acceptable alternative to conventional operations with good results.