The main purpose of the off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is to reduce morbidity and mortality due cardiopulmonary bypass. However, even though many studies have shown that off-pump coronary artery bypass is feasible and provides hospital morbidity and mortality similar to the on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, probably better in some aspects, its long-term results have been questioned, since some trials have shown reduced survival with off-pump coronary artery bypass. It is likely that incomplete revascularization and/or poor graft patency with off-pump coronary artery bypass probably are responsible for such unfavorable outcome.
Myocardial revascularization; Coronary artery bypass; Coronary artery bypass, off-pump; Evidence-based medicine