Anaortic, total-arterial, off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: Why bother?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains the standard of care for multi-vessel coronary disease. However, the increased rate of peri-operative stroke reported after surgery compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains of concern. Anaortic, total-arterial, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting is a technique that offers the main advantages of surgical revascularisation with a rate of stroke that is equivalent to that of PCI. Some recent trials comparing conventional on-pump CABG with OPCAB have questioned the efficacy of the off-pump technique – these are most often performed with manipulation of the ascending aorta. We review the potential benefits of the anaortic, total-arterial OPCAB technique to explain why it is being employed by an increasing number of surgeons.

Source: Heart, Lung and Circulation - October 24, 2012 Category: Cardiology Authors: J.J.B. Edelman, A.G. Sherrah, M.K. Wilson, P.G. Bannon, R.J. Brereton, D.E. Ross, M.P. Vallely Tags: Reviews Source Type: research