Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and nitric oxide (NO) have been suggested to be in - The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in high-risk patients performed with- (ONCAB) and without -(OPCAB) use of cardiopulmonary bypass. From October 2001 till October 2005, 210 high-risk patients classified according to European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) (score =or> 5) underwent CABG in Cardiovascular Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 138 patients operated as OPCAB were compared to 72 patients operated as ONCAB. All data were entered in a patient database (DATACOR) and analyzed in SPSS. OPCAB patients received insignificantly less number of grafts than those treated by ONCAB (3,0 vs. 3,2) (p=0,071). Stroke was significantly more common in ONCAB group (2,9 vs. 11,1%) (p=0,034) while the incidence of other postoperative complications and mortality were similar. The ventilation time (4,3 vs. 6,7 hours) (p=0,007), retransfusion volume (392,7 vs. 633,7 ml) (p=0,041) and hospital stay (8,2 vs. 10,1 days) (p=0,031) was significantly less in OPCAB group. OPCAB is safe and effective in treatment of high-risk patients. Avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with reduced incidence of neurologic complications, lower intubation time, retransfusion rate and shorter hospital stay, and in our experience the preferred operative method in such patients.
Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass-An attractive alternative in high risk patients
