European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2001
Single vessel revascularization with beating heart techniques -- minithoracotomy or sternotomy?
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the best surgical approach in off-pump single vessel revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). ⋯ Both beating heart techniques showed good results with low hospital mortality, low early complications and comparable angiographic results. Nevertheless, MIDCAB is a challenging technique as demonstrated by the longer times of surgery and coronary occlusion with a tendency towards a higher risk of conversion and wound infection. Thus, this technique should only be performed in selected patients with favourable coronary anatomy. Through a sternotomy approach, single vessel revascularization can be performed safely off-pump even in high-risk patients.