Coronary Bypass Grafting With Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation System Versus Off-pump Coronary Surgery

Prospective Randomized Comparison of Coronary Bypass Grafting With Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation System (MECC) Versus Off-pump Coronary Surgery. New Insights Into Inflammatory Cytokines.

The investigators aimed to evaluate the clinical results and the inflammatory response of the minimal extracorporeal circulation system (MECC) Compared with off-pump coronary revascularization (OPCABG).

This is a randomized and prospective study in 230 patients with indications for coronary surgery, with 113 patients in the OPCABG group and 117 in the MECC group. The endpoints were the clinical and biochemical results, intra-operative outcomes and the determination of 19 inflammatory circulating markers, 17 of them for the first time analyzed comparing both techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Indication for coronary surgery established on the basis of current published guidelines

Exclusion Criteria:

• Documented preoperative systemic proinflammatory status and/or steroid administration within 6 months before surgery.
• Coexistence of a cardiomyopathy different than coronary artery disease that precise surgical treatment.
• Left ventricle ejection fraction of 40% or less.
• Treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) three months before the intervention
• Hematocrit less than 35% the day prior to the procedure
• Redo surgery