Minimally invasive heart surgery

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Anterior heart arteries	Coronary artery stent	Heart, front view	Heart bypass surgery - series
Posterior heart arteries

2. Patients who are otherwise healthy but have a blockage in one or two coronary arteries located on the front side of the heart.

In general, every patient with coronary artery disease is a candidate for OPCAB. However, for younger patients, for those who have small coronary arteries and need several bypasses, or those whose heart will not tolerate being manipulated during the procedure, it may be preferable to use the traditional CABG technique. Currently, the following patients with coronary artery disease are potential candidates for OPCAB:

1. Patients with poor heart function (very low ejection fraction).

2. Patients with severe lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and emphysema).

3. Patients with acute or chronic kidney disease.

4. Patients at high risk for stroke.

5. Patients with a calcified aorta.

Review Date: 05/30/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.