2nd postoperative day discharge after full sternotomy off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery - A report of 2 consecutive rapid discharges

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Very early discharge after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), defined as discharge in ≤4 days after surgery, is considered safe and comes with a host of benefits including lower costs and earlier return to work. CASE PRESENTATION: I present two consecutive cases of off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) performed through conventional full sternotomy that were discharged on the second post-operative day (at 36 and 42 h after surgery), the former being the earliest described in medical literature till date. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: From my early experience, I list out all the factors that facilitated such ultra fast-track recovery and present a checklist to enable rapid (<2 days) discharge after CABG. CONCLUSION: Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) is feasible and holds great promise in optimizing patient care and outcomes.