WHAT WE DO

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (OPCAB)

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) is similar to the traditional coronary artery bypass graft surgery in that new pathways are constructed to restore blood flow around the area of blockages in your coronary arteries. For certain individuals, the location of these blockages in the coronary arteries enables surgeons to perform the procedure without the use of a heart/lung machine.

There are advantages of not using a heart/lung machine or using one for only a limited period of time. The risks of infection or stroke (a rare complication) are reduced, and there is a decreased chance of needing a blood transfusion. This operative procedure includes a midline chest incision and the use of a device to hold the heart steady while the bypass grafting of the coronary arteries is completed.

Key benefits of OPCAB surgeries include:

  • relief of the symptoms of coronary artery disease
  • prevention of myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • preservation of heart function