Initial experience with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is clearly preferable for patients with extracardiac complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial outcome of OPCAB, and its validity for patients with extracardiac complications. One hundred and fifty-seven consecutive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were divided into two groups: 30 OPCAB patients and 127 on-pump CABG patients. The early outcomes of the two groups were compared. Preoperatively, OPCAB patients had more extracardiac risk factors than on-pump CABG patients. There were no differences in age or cardiac function between the groups, but the off-pump group had a higher incidence of previous surgery, cerebrovascular disease, and renal failure. There were no differences in graft patency, stroke, or mortality between the two groups, even though the OPCAB patients had more risk factors than the on-pump patients. Our initial experience with OPCAB showed that it is acceptable for high-risk patients in view of the serious nature of their extracardiac condition. Received: April 12, 2001 / Accepted: August 17, 2001