What is minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)?
MIDCAB is used to avoid the heart-lung machine. It’s done while your heart is still beating and is intended for use when only one or two arteries will be bypassed. MIDCAB uses a combination of small holes or “ports” in your chest and a small incision made directly over the coronary artery to be bypassed. The heart surgeon usually detaches an artery from inside the chest wall and re-attaches it to the clogged coronary artery farthest from the occlusion. The surgeon views and performs the attachment directly, so the artery to be bypassed must be right under the incision. AHA Recommendation The American Heart Association Council on Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery has been carefully monitoring these two procedures. Both surgeries appear promising but need more study to examine short- and long-term benefits. MIDCAB, for example, seems to be easier on the patient and less expensive than a coronary artery bypass graft. However, there may be complications that mean an open-chest procedure
