title: Off-pump versus on-pump CABG in high-risk patients: short- and mid-term outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During recent years Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (cCABG) and Off-Pump Coronary Bypass (OPCAB) have been compared in several randomised and non-randomised studies. Focus has been on postoperative outcome with short-term follow-up in low-risk patients and therefore little is known of the effectiveness of OPCAB in high-risk patients. Furthermore, it is unknown if a potential beneficial short-term outcome is consistent over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2001, 217 patients with a Euroscore > or =5 were included in an observational cohort study; 162 patients were operated by cCABG and 55 by OPCAB. Follow-up data were retrieved from the Danish national person registry. The study includes a mid-term follow-up, with a mean follow-up time of 3.97 years+/-0.32.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in mortality between OPCAB and cCABG were found. In-hospital mortality was 5.5% in the OPCAB group vs 5.6% in the cCABG group and mid-term mortality was 21.8% in the OPCAB group vs 24.7% in the cCABG group; p = 0.71. During the follow-up period 41.5% of patients with an EF < or =35% at the time of surgery and 43.3% of patients with a Euroscore >8 died. Seven percent in the cCABG group had a perioperative AMI vs none in the OPCAB group; p < 0.05. In 74.5% cCABG's allogenic transfusions of blood components was necessary vs only 55.6% OPCAB's (p < 0.05). No significant differences in CNS complications or atrial fibrillation could be demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A similar outcome between OPCAB in cCABG in high-risk patients with respect to mortality was found. OPCAB seems to have a beneficial effect on morbidity. A cautious approach to patients with a combined high Euroscore and low ejection fraction should be the strategy of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinbrüchel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000401:mortality*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome