Innovations : technology and techniques in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
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Innovations (Phila) · Mar 2017
Comparative StudyMid-Term Follow-up of Minimally Invasive Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is the Early Learning Phase Detrimental?
Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) through a small left thoracotomy is a novel technique for surgical coronary revascularization, which is increasingly being adopted around the world. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and mid-term outcomes of a series of MICS CABG to identify areas for improvement. ⋯ Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting can be safely initiated as a minimally invasive, multivessel alternative to open surgical coronary revascularization, with excellent mid-term results. Learning phase effects were not observed with regard to overall procedural safety, but rather in terms of improved freedom from conversion to sternotomy and from repeat revascularization.