Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

It is widely accepted that the single most important development in cardiac surgery was the introduction and refinement of extracorporeal circulation via cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The ensuing advances in cardioplegia and myocardial protection provided a motionless and bloodless field for accurate reparative surgery and improved event-free survival for patients undergoing a variety of cardiac procedures. Further advances in myocardial protection along with developments in percutaneous catheter-based intervention fostered a decade of debate regarding the definitive treatment for ischemic coronary artery disease.