Sammanfattning
Within recent years, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) has gained renewed interest. Prospective, controlled, randomised trials comparing OPCAB with conventional coronary artery bypass using a heart-lung machine have documented a lower rate of minor complications such as postoperative bleeding, neurocognitive deficits, atrial fibrillation and infections. Furthermore, biochemical analyses show less myocardial and renal injury and less inflammatory reaction. Larger randomised trials are needed to determine the impact of OPCAB on perioperative death, stroke and myocardial infarction.