title: Prospective randomized comparison of coronary bypass grafting with minimal extracorporeal circulation system (MECC) versus off-pump coronary surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate the clinical results and biocompatibility of the minimal extracorporeal circulation system (MECC) compared with off-pump coronary revascularization (OPCABG).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a prospective randomized study, 150 patients underwent coronary surgery with the use of MECC and 150 underwent OPCABG. End points were (1) circulating markers of inflammation and organ injury, (2) operative results, and (3) outcome at 1-year follow-up. Operative mortality and morbidity were comparable between the groups. Release of inflammatory markers was similar between groups at all time points (peak interleukin-6 167.2+/-13.5 versus 181+/-6.5 pg/mL, P=0.14, OPCABG versus MECC group, respectively). Peak creatine kinase was 419.3+/-103.5 versus 326+/-84.2 mg/dL (P=0.28), and peak S-100 protein was 0.13+/-0.08 versus 0.29+/-0.1 pg/mL (P=0.058, OPCABG versus MECC group, respectively). Length of hospital stay and use of blood products were similar between groups. Two cases of angina recurrence at 1 year in the MECC group were observed versus 5 cases observed in the OPCABG group (P=0.44). A residual perfusion defect at myocardial nuclear scan was less frequent among patients in the MECC group (3 versus 9 cases, P=0.14; odds ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 1.32). Six (OPCABG group) versus 3 (MECC group) coronary grafts were occluded or severely stenotic at 1 year (P=0.33, odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 2.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical results of coronary revascularization with MECC are optimal when this procedure is performed by experienced teams. Postoperative morbidity is comparable to that with OPCABG. MECC is associated with little pump-related systemic and organ injury. It may achieve the benefits of OPCABG (less morbidity in high-risk patients) while facilitating complete revascularization in the case of complex lesions unsuitable for OPCABG.
authors: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Ospedale Papardo, Messina, Italy.
authors: Valerio
authors: V
authors: Mazzei
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Nasso
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Salamone
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Castorino
authors: Antonello
authors: A
authors: Tommasini
authors: Amedeo
authors: A
authors: Anselmi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump / Q000401:mortality; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D009418:S100 Proteins; D003402:Creatine Kinase