Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB): two techniques for beating heart surgery.

Abstract

Coronary bypass surgery without the use of CPB is feasible and safe, and offers good early results. Nevertheless, MIDCAB grafting is a challenging technique and should only be performed in selected patients with favorable coronary anatomy. On the other hand, with the sternotomy approach, exposure of all vessels was well tolerated and made complete revascularization feasible. OPCAB can be performed safely even on high-risk patients.