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AbstractCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the gold standard in managing severe coronary artery disease. However, it is associated with prolonged recovery and potential complications, in part due to the invasiveness of the procedure. Less invasive CABG techniques attempt to improve the quality and quantity of life in the same way as surgical revascularization but with fewer complications.Minimally invasive coronary surgery (MICS) through a small thoracotomy allows for complete revascularization with good results in graft patency. Perioperative mortality is low, and there is decreased need for blood transfusion, lower surgical site infection rates, and an earlier return to full physical function. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) attempts to combine the advantages of coronary artery bypass grafting with those of percutaneous coronary intervention. Several studies have shown that HCR provides better short-term outcomes with regard to decreased ventilation and ICU time, reduced need for blood transfusion, and shortened hospital stay. However, the rates for major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality are comparable to conventional CABG, except for patients with a high SYNTAX score who displayed increased mortality rates. There is also strong evidence of a higher need for repeat revascularization with HCR compared to CABG.Overall, MICS and HCR appear to be viable alternatives to conventional CABG, offering a less invasive approach to coronary revascularization, which may be especially beneficial to high-risk patients. This article discusses approaches that deliver the advantages of minimally invasive surgical revascularization that can be adapted by surgeons with minimal investment with regards to training and infrastructure.MDCVJ | XII (1) 2016 15 houstonmethodist.org/debakey-journal With MICS-CABG, complete myocardial revascularization is achievable in more than 95% of cases 1 since the technique allows access to the anterior, lateral, and inferior walls of the heart with or without use of CPB. Perioperative mortality is low at 1.3%.
1Other advantages include a decreased need for blood transfusion, lower surgical site infection rates, and earlier return to full physical function.1,3,4 Associated complications include sternotomy conversion and development of left-sided pleural effusion. 1,3,5 Postoperative pain can be an issue during the initial hours, but it is transient, controllable, and significantly reduced by the third postoperative day; it is also associated with an overall improved postoperative pain picture with improved pulmonary functions. 6,7 Notably, unlike sternotomy patients, MICS-CABG patients have no physical restriction postoperatively, which leads to improved independence. Even though MICS-CABG is more technically demanding, its anastomotic patency results were validated to...