Multivessel coronary artery bypass surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass,

Background: There is limited experience with complete myocardial revascularization on a beating heart. Using a mechanical stabilization system, we sought to determine if complete coronary revascularization is feasible without cardiopulmonary bypass and what the short-term clinical outcome would be. Methods: From February through September 1998, 26 patients underwent complete myocardial revascularization with Medtronics Octopus Tissue Stabilization System. Mean age for the group was 62 ± 7 years (range 48 to 78 years); 11% had prior interventions. Mean preoperative ejection fraction was 49% ± 14% (range 20% to 66%); 38% of operations were performed urgently. The mean number of vessels grafted was 3.0 ± 0.9 (range 1 to 5 grafts/patient). In 96% of patients, at least one arterial graft was used. Fifteen percent of patients had 2 or more arterial grafts. In 58% of patients, a branch of circumflex coronary artery was bypassed. Results: The median time to extubation was 2 hours (range 0 to 37 hours). None of the patients had perioperative myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or renal failure requiring dialysis. The 30-day survival rate was 100%. Angiographic follow-up was not available. At a mean follow-up period of 3.8 ± 2.9 months, all patients remained free of angina and none has required cardiac reintervention. Conclusions: Complete myocardial revascularization on a beating heart can be achieved with the currently available stabilization systems and is associated with low perioperative complications and satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes. The long-term outcomes and graft patency remain to be determined. (Am Heart J 1999;138:983-6.)