Myocardial Revascularization By Off Pump Coronary Bypass Surgery (OPCABG): A Ten Year Review

Background The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may contribute to post-operative complications and organ dysfunction. Off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) avoids the use of CPB and hence is proposed to reduce these complications. We present the results of OPCABG in Northern Ireland over ten years. Methods Data was collected retrospectively from 1995 to 2005. Follow-up was done by telephonic questionnaire and from medical records within a closing interval of two months. Results 324 patients (224 male) underwent OPCABG with a median age of 62 years (range 35 to 79 years). There were 149 patients with CCS class III/IV angina and 48 with NYHA class III/IV. 148 patients had suffered a myocardial infarction in the past. 36 patients had a pre-operative predictive mortality score (EuroSCORE) of >5 and 48 patients had a preoperative LVEF of