Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). It involves creating a new pathway for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed section of one or more coronary arteries. In contrast to traditional CABG, off-pump CABG is performed without using a heart-lung bypass machine, which takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery.
During off-pump CABG, the heart is stabilized with special instruments while the surgeon grafts a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body onto the diseased coronary artery. The surgeon can perform this procedure without stopping the heart or using the bypass machine. This can lead to reduced bleeding, lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to traditional CABG.
Off-pump CABG may not be suitable for all patients, and the decision to perform this procedure depends on factors such as the location and severity of the blockages, the patient’s overall health, and the surgeon’s experience and preference. As with any surgical procedure, off-pump CABG carries risks such as bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding tissues, although the risks are generally lower than with traditional CABG.
