MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUES IN CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

Abstract

With the evolution of cardiac surgery minimally invasive techniques in myocardial revascularization have now advanced and every day there is something new in this field. The definition of minimally invasive CABG is not yet clear. Is it avoidance of CPB, or sternotomy or both, but avoidance of CPB is the more suitable definition. The cosmetic effect of medline incision is an obvious cause of complaint especially in females. Avoidance of the complications that occur with CPB especially in elderly patients is one of the most important advantages of off-pump surgery. In the last decade, the use of stabilizers, occluders and shunts has a great help in achievement of most off-pump CABG operations. Patency rates in both conventional and off-pump CABG are shown to be the same. Reduced ventilation time, reduced ICU time and reduced total hospital stay give off-pump CABG another advantage over conventional CABG.