Beating heart bypass surgery is – in simple terms – bypass surgery that is performed on your heart while it is beating. Your heart will not be stopped during surgery. You will not need a heart-lung machine. Your heart and lungs will continue to perform during your surgery.
Surgeons use a tissue stabilization system to immobilize the area of the heart where they need to work.
Beating heart bypass surgery is also called Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (OPCAB). Both OPCAB and conventional on-pump surgery restore blood flow to the heart. However, off-pump bypass surgery has proven to reduce side effects in certain types of patients.
What Happens During Beating Heart Bypass Surgery?
The challenge in beating heart CABG surgery is that it can be difficult to suture or "sew" on a beating heart. The surgeon must use a "stabilization" system to keep the heart steady.
The stabilization system consists of a heart positioner and a tissue stabilizer. The heart positioner guides and holds the heart in a position that provides the best access to the blocked arteries. The tissue stabilizer holds a small area of the heart still while a surgeon works on it.
Benefits and Risks – Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
Beating heart bypass surgery or off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is a safe and proven option to conventional bypass surgery. Both Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) and traditional bypass surgery offer beneficial results.
Doing surgery on a beating heart eliminates the need for the heart-lung machine. This can result in fewer side effects.
Benefits
Some of the potential benefits of beating heart surgery include:
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A lower risk of stroke
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Fewer problems with memory loss and thinking skills
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Lower death rate – especially among women and "high risk" patients
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Less need for transfusion
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Reduced injury to the heart
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Shorter hospital stay
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Fewer heart rhythm problems
Risks
Coronary artery bypass surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. Your risk of death from the surgery is usually very low. As with any surgery, there are risks involved. The risks are no greater for off-pump heart bypass surgery than for conventional bypass surgery. These risks can include but are not limited to:
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Bleeding
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Infection
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Stroke
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Kidney failure
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Lung complications
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Death
There are many factors that can determine your risk. Including:
