The MIDCAB approach in its various dimensions

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) offers arterial revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery especially in lesions unsuitable for percutaneous coronary interventions. By avoidance of sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass its invasivity is less than that of conventional bypass surgery. METHODS: A literature search of all published minimal invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting studies was performed for the period from January 1995 through November 2011. Additionally, the authors reviewed their experience in more than one thousand patients treated by minimal invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting within the last 14 years at their institution. RESULTS: Early mortally ranged from 1.2 to 1.3%. Midterm mortality ranged up to 3.2%. At 6-month follow up 3.6% grafts were occluded and 7.2% had a significant stenosis which resulted in target vessel revascularization in 3.3% of cases. The conversion rate to sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass ranged between 1.2 and 6.2%. CONCLUSIONS: In the past MIDCAB was predominantly used in patients with isolated lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery. In combination with percutaneous interventions it provides an attractive option for full revascularization in multi vessel disease especially in older patients with significant comorbidities. Overall minimal invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with few perioperative complications and with high graft patency rates in the mid-term and long-term course.