Subsystem organ function during coronary surgery

Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) carries a mortality rate of 1% to 2% in elective patients. However, despite advances in perfusion, anaesthetic, and surgical techniques cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still associated with subsystem dysfunction. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has recently gained popularity as a potentially more physiological method to maintain the functional integrity of major organ systems. The review of observational reports, case-matched studies and prospective randomized trials seems to suggest that OPCAB surgery reduces postoperative subsystem organ dysfunction when compared with conventional coronary revascularisation.