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Controversies in Off-pump Coronary Artery Surgery

John Pepper, M.Chir, FRCS, Department of Surgery, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, United Kingdom

Reprint Requests: John Pepper, M.Chir, Department of Surgery, Royal Brompton Hospital, 2004 Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, United Kingdom, Telephone: 44-20-7351-8530, Fax: 44-20-7351-8530 Email: J.Pepper{at}rbh.nthames.nhs.uk

Motivated by a desire to reduce the morbidity of a well-established and effective procedure for coronary artery disease, up to 25% of coronary artery bypass operations are being performed without the use of a heart-lung pump. Concerns remain about the quality of the coronary anastomoses and the completeness of revascularization. Randomized trials have not revealed the significant reduction in morbidity or mortality that the early enthusiasts had hoped for. Yet a number of non-randomized studies have shown clinical benefit from the avoidance of an extracorporeal circulation, but these have been criticized for potential bias in patient selection and management.A majority of surgeons have not yet adopted this technique and are waiting for the accumulation of more evidence.

Key Words: Coronary artery bypass • Coronary disease/surgery • Postoperative complications • Vascular patency • Risk factors • Morbidity • Mortality

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