Whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should be performed on- or off-pump remains a matter of debate. We aim to present our experience with off-pump CABG. Early clinical outcome and adverse events were analyzed over the time course of the study. Methods: A total of 4310 patients undergoing isolated off- pump CABG from January 2002 until December 2016 at the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences in India were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative, as well as follow-up data were prospectively collected. To analyze the differences of patient characteristics and outcomes over time, five-year periods were created (early: 2002-2006; middle: 2007-2011; late: 2012-2016). Traditional techniques of quality control monitoring were applied. Results: The mean age of our patients was 59 ± 9 years, and 13% (533) were female. Postoperative mortality was observed in 0.7% (25), acute renal failure and stroke in 0.2% (8) each, and mediastinitis in 1.2% (53) of the patients. Despite the progressive worsening of the patient risk profile, significant improvement in mortality was observed over time, while stroke, acute renal failure, and mediastinitis remained similar. Continuous quality control monitoring revealed that the system was within the control boundaries for the entire period of the study. The current probability of 30-day mortality or conversion to on-pump CABG is about 0.5%. Conclusion: Off-pump CABG is safe and effective for patients undergoing CABG. It can provide superior results compared to on-pump CABG, particularly when performed by a dedicated off-pump surgeon.

Development of a simple, reusable stabilizer for beating heart surgery has been long overdue. Every time a disposable stabilizer is used and discarded, we add to the carbon footprint we leave behind. We had been working on developing such a stabilizer, and had finally come up with a simple indigenous (reusable) metallic stabilizer (SIMS). We have used it for over 600 consecutive off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with excellent results. The anatomy of the stabilizer is described here along with a comparison of this stabilizer with the commercially available one.

We present a case of extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm, which presented as an inflammatory submandibular swelling in the upper part of the right side of the neck. The lack of frank pulsatility and signs of inflammation though was a bit confusing, the Doppler and CT angiogram clinched the diagnosis. We were able to surgically resect and reform the ICA using the native vessel itself, which is an unusual technique, which we thought was worth presenting.

We hereby report a case of Kawasaki disease in a 32 year old male, with giant aneurysm of both coronary arteries and severe LV (left ventricular) dysfunction who underwent OPCAB (off pump coronary artery bypass grafting) two years ago. He presented with acute myocardial infarction of his anterior wall of left ventricle. He was stabilised with medical management and was taken up for surgery when his enzymes became normal. His LV function had improved over the time and now has a good ejection fraction.

OPCAB was performed before the advent of heart lung machine. But with the development of stabilizers, coronary artery bypass grafting has been performed over the last two decades successfully in many centres around the world. But still 80% of bypass surgeries are done on the heart lung machine. We were one of the few teams who have been performing this OPCAB for the past 18 years. All along, we have been innovating, fabricating and developing and patenting instruments, techniques and technology to help us perform OPCAB in 100% of all our coronary patients. That too being able to reduce the mortality of bypass surgery to less than 0.5%. In this chapter, we have attempted to write down our strategy, in order to successfully perform OPCAB in all our patients, so that the coming generation can benefit from it.