Comparing clinical outcomes in high-volume and low-volume off-pump coronary bypass operation programs

sites and then analyzed the patient and hospital characteristics that had an impact on clinical outcomes.

The mortality rates for the high- and low-volume OPCAB facilities both averaged 2.9% (p = NS). Patients at the high-volume OPCAB facilities had significantly lower rates of major complications (shock/hemorrhage, neurologic, renal, and cardiac) than those at the low-volume OPCAB facilities. Of the seven minor complications, rates for six were lower in the high-volume OPCAB facilities, but none of the differences reached statistical significance. High-volume OPCAB sites were significantly more likely to discharge their patients directly home than were low-volume OPCAB sites (80% versus 66%; p = 0.001).

The results suggested that surgical team experience and choice of approaches to performing CABG had an impact on patient outcomes.