Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in southern Mississippi

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) allows myocardial revascularization without use of cardiopulmonary bypass and may be associated with fewer postoperative complications. A retrospective review was undertaken to assess the value of this new strategy in our surgical practice. The records of all our patients (n = 259) undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass (CAB) operations from January 1 through December 31, 1999, were reviewed (Table 1). Patient characteristics and comorbidities were similar in both groups with the exception of age and diabetes (Table 2). Mean operating room time, blood products transfused, morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) were all significantly less in the OPCAB group. We conclude that OPCAB techniques may offer significant benefits to our population of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization.