A Comparison of Immediate Postoperative Complications in using Left Internal Mammary Artery + Vein Versus only Vein as Conduit in Patients Undergoing off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare the immediate postoperative cardiac complications in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) using mixed (arterial and venous grafts) versus only venous grafts and to compare the requirement of packed red cell units and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in both the groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, analytical, prospective study. SAMPLE SIZE: Fifty new patients were included in the study. INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients diagnosed with triple-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing OPCABG with an ejection fraction (EF) of more than 30%. Patients who have undergone prior CABG, EF <30%, preexisting valvular heart disease, any evidence pulmonary hypertension, preoperative IABP, any history of neurological dysfunction, left atrium size more than 5.5 cm, and history of coagulation disorder was excluded from the study. RESULTS: The most common immediate postoperative cardiac complication observed was atrial fibrillation followed by ventricular arrhythmias in both the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the two groups. Postoperative requirement of IABP and requirements of blood products were also similar in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing off-pump CABG have similar immediate postoperative complications irrespective of the type of conduit used.