Surgical & Heart Information

Coronary artery bypass has been the traditional operational approach that doctors have used for patients with coronary heart disease; however, advances in medical technology have made it possible for doctors to have a less invasive approach in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Surgeons are now able to perform a coronary artery bypass without the use of a heart-lung machine. In an off-pump coronary bypass, or beating heart surgery, the patient's heart is beating while the coronary artery bypass grafts are being placed on the patient's coronary arteries. A tissue stabilization system is used to immobilize the beating heart during surgery so the surgeons can reroute blood around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart. During a traditional coronary artery bypass, a heart-lung machine is used to perform the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery. The off-pump coronary bypass is the only operation done without the use of the heart-lung machine.

An off-pump coronary bypass is necessary when the coronary arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle become clogged by a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances. This buildup can slow down or even stop blood flow through the heart's blood vessels, leading to chest pain or a heart attack. An off-pump coronary bypass increases blood flow to the heart muscle which relieves chest pain and reduces the risk of heart attack.

Not all patients are a candidate for off-pump coronary bypass and must have a traditional coronary artery bypass. Usually the selection of patients who can undergo an off-pump coronary artery bypass is made at the time of surgery when the surgeon can evaluate the patient's heart and arteries more closely. For some patients, the risk of stroke and other complications arise when a heart-lung machine is used to handle the circulation for the patient's body; therefore, an off-pump coronary bypass is ideal for certain patients who are at increased risk for complications from cardiopulmonary bypass.

The majority of off-pump coronary bypass patients have been known to show improvements or complete relief of their symptoms. In addition, many recover from surgery quicker than those who go through a traditional coronary artery bypass and usually have fewer post-operative complications.

Some of the potential benefits of an off-pump coronary bypass include: