Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting: Midterm resultsand quality of life

Background. There is increasing interest in minimally invasive direct coron ary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG): however, there is still Little inform ation about midterm results and postoperative quality of life. Methods. From March 1995 to March 1998, 64 patients underwent MIDCABG at ou r hospital. Their mean age was 60 +/- 9.5 years; 22 (34.4%) had unstable an gina. All patients were followed-up by both direct visit and questionnaire to assess the postoperative quality of life. Results. There were no perioperative deaths nor conversions to sternotomy; the perioperative myocardial infarction rate was 1/64 (1.6%). Predischarge angiography showed overall and unobstructed patency rates of 96.8% (62 of 6 4) and 93.8% (60 of 64), respectively. At follow-up (25 +/- 11.4 months) ac tuarial survival was 100%, and survival free of myocardial infarction was 9 8.4% +/- 1.6% at 3 years. Both the Physical Activity Score and the Psycholo gical General Well-being Index improved significantly after the operation, with percentage improvements of 31% and 23%, respectively, at 12 months pos toperatively. Conclusions. In selected patients MIDCABG can be a reliable and safe option . Patients who undergo this procedure are free of major complications and e njoy a good quality of life after surgery. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thora cic Surgeons.