Off-pump coronary artery bypass

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Off-pump coronary artery bypass (also known as OPCAB) is a type of coronary artery bypass surgery that is performed without the use of a heart-lung machine. This procedure is also referred to as beating heart bypass surgery because the heart continues to beat during the operation.

History[edit | edit source]

The first successful off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery was performed by Dr. Dimitri Novitzky in 1985. Since then, the procedure has been refined and is now widely used in cardiothoracic surgery.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

In off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, the surgeon stabilizes the area of the heart where the bypass is needed, but the rest of the heart continues to function and pump blood through the body. This is in contrast to traditional on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) surgery, where the heart is stopped and a heart-lung machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs.

The surgeon uses specialized equipment to stabilize the part of the heart and a coronary artery from another part of the body is then attached to the blocked artery, bypassing the blocked area. This allows blood to flow around the blockage.

Advantages and Disadvantages[edit | edit source]

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery has several advantages over traditional on-pump surgery. It avoids the complications associated with the use of the heart-lung machine, such as stroke and cognitive impairment. It also reduces the risk of bleeding, infection, and kidney damage.

However, off-pump surgery is technically more challenging and requires a high level of skill and experience. It may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with multiple blocked arteries or poor heart function.

Recovery[edit | edit source]

Recovery from off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is similar to recovery from traditional bypass surgery. Patients are typically hospitalized for several days and then continue their recovery at home. Cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended to help patients regain strength and improve their heart health.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD