Evolution of Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Learning Curve

This study reviewed a single surgeon's experience with minimally invasive coronary surgery coronary artery bypass grafting, including operative time, number of bypasses, and conversion to sternotomy. Methods A prospective database of consecutive minimally invasive coronary surgery coronary artery bypass grafting procedures from 2005 to 2013 was reviewed. A small anterolateral left thoracotomy allowed left internal mammary artery harvest, proximal anastomoses on the ascending aorta, and distal coronary anastomoses. Early cases were compared with the later cases, focusing on grafting strategies that led to a standardized approach with Propensity Score Matching analysis. Results Seven hundred consecutive cases were divided into early (1–200) and late (201–700) groups. In the late group, the number of triple-vessel disease patients trended higher (50% vs. 57%, P = 0.0674) and the number of bypasses increased (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.0, P
Source: Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research