Beating Heart (Off-pump) Surgery

In many cases, coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed without the use of the heart-lung machine. In this "beating heart" (also called off-pump) technique, a small vertical incision is made in the chest, and a mechanical stabilizing device is used to restrict movement of the heart so that the surgeon can perform surgery while the heart is beating. Patients may be given a drug to slow the heart rate, but the heart maintains its own rhythm without the assistance of the heart-lung machine. The potential benefits of off-pump surgery include a shorter hospital stay and recovery time, less bleeding, less potential for infection, and less trauma.