Evaluation of myocardial metabolism and function during beating heart coronary surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery on the beating heart either via a left anter ior small thoracotomy (LAST) or a median sternotomy is becoming increasing popular world-wide. Concern still remains about the potential for a tempora ry regional myocardial ischaemia associated with the stabilisation and occl usion of the coronary during construction of the anastomosis. This review s ummarises the results of a series of studies intended to evaluate the effec t of beating heart coronary revascularization on myocardial function, myoca rdial tissue injury and clinical outcome. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.