Octopus follow-up: 20 year prognosis in patients randomized to on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG or PCI.

BACKGROUND: The very long-term outcomes of off-pump versus on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) are largely unclear. We linked 20-years outcomes of two randomized trials to evaluate re-intervention and mortality outcomes for on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG and PCI. METHODS: A data linkage project was performed using data as registered within the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR), Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Octopus trials. Between 1998 and 2000, these trials randomized patients with coronary artery disease to on-pump versus off-pump CABG (OctoPump trial), or to PCI versus off-pump CABG (OctoStent trial). With data linkage, the original 5 years follow-up time for clinical events was extended to 20 years, including mortality and coronary reinterventions. RESULTS: After 20 years, in the OctoPump trial all-cause mortality was 50.0% after on-pump, and 46.5% after off-pump CABG. There was no difference in the combined outcome of mortality and re-interventions (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.59-1.12). In the OctoStent trial, all-cause mortality was 56.7% after PCI and 52.5% after off-pump CABG. There was no difference in the combined outcome of mortality and re-interventions (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57-1.04). Off-pump CABG patients underwent less re-interventions than PCI patients (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.80). CONCLUSION: This study revealed no differences in 20-year survival between patients randomized to on-pump versus off-pump CABG, or to PCI versus off-pump-CABG. However, off-pump CABG patients underwent less re-interventions than PCI patients.

Association Between Postoperative Body Temperature and All-Cause Mortality After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is common in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). We investigated the association between early postoperative body temperature and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing OPCAB. METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records of 1714 patients who underwent OPCAB (median duration of follow-up, 47 months). Patients were divided into 4 groups based on body temperature at the time of intensive care unit admission after surgery (moderate-to-severe hypothermia, <35.5°C; mild hypothermia, 35.5°C-36.5°C; normothermia, 36.5°C-37.5°C; and hyperthermia, ≥37.5°C). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between body temperature and all-cause mortality. The association between early postoperative changes in body temperature and all-cause mortality was also assessed by dividing the patients into 4 categories according to the body temperature measured at postoperative intensive care unit admission and the average body temperature during the first 3 postoperative days. RESULTS: Compared to the normothermia group, the adjusted hazard ratios of all-cause mortality were 2.030 (95% confidence interval, 1.407-2.930) in the moderate-to-severe hypothermia group and 1.445 (95% confidence interval, 1.113-1.874) in the mild hypothermia group. Patients who were hypothermic at postoperative intensive care unit admission but attained normothermia thereafter were at a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to patients who did not regain normothermia (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.631; 95% confidence interval, 0.453-0.878), while they were still at a higher risk of all-cause mortality than those who were consistently normothermic (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.435; 95% confidence interval, 1.090-1.890). CONCLUSIONS: Even mild early postoperative hypothermia was associated with all-cause mortality after OPCAB. Patients who regained normothermia postoperatively were at lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who did not.

What will surgical coronary revascularization look like in 25 years?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coronary artery bypass grafting evolved in incremental but significant steps since its introduction. Here, we provide an update on operative techniques, choice of conduits, patient selection/decision-making and primary and secondary prevention measures with potential of influencing the future of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Associated mortality of off-pump CABG (OPCAB) procedures performed in high-volume OPCAB centers (≥164 cases per year) and by experienced surgeons (≥48 cases per year) was reduced compared with on-pump CABG with two or more grafts suggesting a volume-based dependency of outcomes in CABG procedures with high-technical complexity. Ten-year results from the recent Arterial Revascularization Trial showed no significant between-group difference for the primary and secondary outcome. Total arterial revascularization using composite bilateral internal mammary artery-Y-conduits through a limited access mini-thoracotomy was not only shown to be feasible but a safe and reproducible procedure with excellent midterm outcomes. The most recent Randomized Trial of Endoscopic or Open Vein-Graft Harvesting for Coronary-Artery Bypass (REGROUP) trial demonstrated no significant difference between open vein-graft harvesting and endoscopic vein-graft harvesting in the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. SUMMARY: Adherence to the most recent guidelines on myocardial revascularization is a key component for providing state-of the CABG surgery. Trends to lesser invasiveness in surgical coronary revascularization will gain momentum and is expected - with further improvements - to be the mainstay of future surgical coronary revascularization strategies.

Current Status of cardiovascular surgery in Japan, 2015 and 2016: a report based on the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database. 2-Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Data on isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in 2015 and 2016, and registered in the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database were reviewed for preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and choice of graft material for the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Isolated CABG was performed off-pump in 55.0% (n = 16,173) of all CABG cases (n = 29,392), and graft material for the LAD was positioned at the internal thoracic artery in 72.1% and at the right internal thoracic artery in 17.4% of patients. Operative mortality was 1.7% in elective cases, 8.8% in emergency cases, and 3.0% overall, which was similar to our previous report. In elective cases, operative mortality was 1.1% for off-pump CABG compared with 2.5% for on-pump CABG, and all morbidities except for "readmission < 30 days" were significantly better in OPCAB cases.

Off-Pump Versus On-Pump: Long-Term Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass in a Veteran Population.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to investigate long-term outcomes after revascularization with and without use of cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothesized that off-pump would be comparable with on-pump. The primary outcome of interest was survival, and secondary outcomes were need for reintervention for revascularization or new diagnosis of myocardial infarction occurring any time after surgery during the 8- to 12-year follow-up period. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: All patients undergoing primary isolated coronary bypass between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008 (n = 555). INTERVENTIONS: Coronary artery bypass on-pump (n = 238) or off-pump (n = 317). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic and clinical variables were documented, including information on mortality, new myocardial infarction, and need for reintervention in the 8- to 12-year period after surgery. The on-pump and off-pump groups were similar regarding all demographic and clinical variables (p > 0.05), except for higher incidence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention in the off-pump group. There were more perioperative complications in the on-pump group (p = 0.007) and a greater number of grafts used (p = 0.000). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated no significant difference (p > 0.05) in overall survival, reintervention-free survival, or postoperative myocardial infarction-free survival between patients who underwent bypass grafting on-pump or off-pump over extended follow-up averaging 10years. CONCLUSIONS: The present study's data did not show differences in key long-term outcomes between patients who underwent revascularization with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, supporting the idea that both methods achieve similar late results regarding overall survival, need for reintervention, and postoperative myocardial infarction.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: The long and winding road.

After more than thirty years, a hundred randomized studies and dozens of meta-analyses, there is still controversy on the results and benefits of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The present review summarizes the most relevant evidence, the relation of outcomes with surgeon's and institution's experience, addresses regional variations in popularity of the technique, and the need for structural training.

Cost-effectiveness of on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with coronary artery disease: Results from the MASS III trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent trials have reported similar clinical outcomes between on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). However, long-term cost-effectiveness of these strategies is unknown. METHODS: A prespecified economic study was performed based on the MASS III trial. Costs were estimated for all patients based on observed healthcare resource usage over a 5-year follow-up. Health state utilities were evaluated with the SF-6D questionnaire. Cost-effectiveness was assessed as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained using a Markov model. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis with the Monte-Carlo simulation and cost-effectiveness acceptability curve were used to address uncertainty. RESULTS: Quality of life improved significantly in both groups during follow-up compared with baseline. At 5 years, when comparing on-pump and off-pump CABG groups, no differences were found in cumulative life-years (4.851 and 4.766 years, P = .319) and QALY gained (4.150 and 4.105 QALYs, P = .332). Mean cost in US dollars per patient during the trial did not differ significantly between the on-pump and off-pump groups ($5890.29 and $5674.75, respectively, P = .409). Over a lifetime horizon, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of on-pump versus off-pump CABG was $12,576 per QALY gained, which is above the suggested cost-effectiveness threshold range (from $3210 to 10,122). In the sensitivity analysis, the probability that on-pump CABG is cost-effective compared to off-pump surgery for a willingness-to-pay threshold of $3212 per QALY gained was <1%. For the $10,122 per QALY threshold, the same probability was 35%. CONCLUSION: This decision-analytic model suggests that on-pump CABG is not cost-effective when compared to off-pump CABG from a public health system perspective.

Long-Term Outcomes of On- Versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: When comparing effects of on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), it is important to assess the long-term clinical outcomes. However, most research conducted thus far has concentrated on short-term outcomes and ignored the long-term clinical outcomes, especially the 5-year outcomes of the largest randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of on- versus off-pump CABG. METHODS: To identify potential studies systematic searches were carried out using various databases. The search strategy included the key concepts of cardiopulmonary bypass AND off-pump AND long term OR 5-year outcomes. This was followed by a meta-analysis investigating mortality, incidence of myocardial infarction, incidence of angina, need for revascularization, and incidence of stroke. RESULTS: Six studies totaling 8,145 participants were analyzed. In the on-pump group mortality was 12.3%, compared with 13.9% in the off-pump group. The odds ratio (OR) for this comparison was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.32; p = 0.03; 13.9% vs. 12.3%). In contrast, there were no differences in the incidence of myocardial infarction (OR: 1.06: 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.25; p = 0.45; 8.4% vs. 7.9%), incidence of angina (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.57; p = 0.65; 2.3% vs. 2.1%), need for revascularization (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.40; p = 0.16; 5.9% vs. 5.1%), and the incidence of stroke (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.10; p = 0.16; 2.2% vs. 2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically, on-pump CABG appeared to offer superior long-term survival, although the clinical significance of this may be more uncertain.

Current status of cardiovascular surgery in Japan, 2013 and 2014: A report based on the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database 3. Coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Data on isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in 2013 and 2014, and registered in the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database were reviewed for preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and choice of graft material for the left anterior descending artery (LAD). RESULTS: Isolated CABG was performed off-pump in 54.7% of cases, and graft material for the LAD was left internal thoracic artery in 74.3% and right internal thoracic artery in 15.6%. Operative mortality was 2.0% in elective cases, 8.2% in emergency cases, and 3.0% overall. In elective cases, operative mortality was 1.1% for off-pump CABG compared with 3.0% for on-pump CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical results of our isolated CABG were reasonable and acceptable.

Evaluation of preoperative oral carbohydrate administration on insulin resistance in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients: A randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In fasting cardiac surgery patients, preoperative carbohydrate (CHO) drink intake attenuated insulin resistance and improved cardiac metabolism, although its beneficial effects were not evident after cardiac surgery possibly due to cardiopulmonary bypass-related extreme systemic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether preoperative CHO intake affected insulin resistance and free-fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in off-pump coronary revascularisation. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Primary care in a university hospital in Korea from January 2015 to July 2016. PATIENTS: Sixty patients who underwent elective multi-vessel off-pump coronary revascularisation were randomised into two groups. Three patients were excluded from analysis and 57 patients completed study. INTERVENTION: The CHO group received oral CHO (400 ml) the prior evening and 2 to 3 h before surgery, and the control group was fasted from food and water according to standard protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin resistance was assessed twice, after anaesthetic induction and after surgery via short insulin tolerance test. FFA, C-reactive protein and creatine kinase-myocardial band concentrations were determined serially for 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Insulin sensitivity was greater (P = 0.002) and plasma FFA concentrations were lower (P = 0.001) after anaesthetic induction in the CHO group compared with the Control group, although there were no intergroup differences after surgery. The postoperative peak creatine kinase-myocardial band concentration was significantly lower in the CHO group compared with the Control group [8.8 (5.4 to 18.2) vs. 6.4 (3.5 to 9.7) ng ml, P = 0.031]. CONCLUSION: A preoperative CHO supplement significantly reduced insulin resistance and FFA concentrations compared with fasting at the beginning of the surgery, but these benefits were lost after off-pump coronary revascularisation. Despite their transient nature, these beneficial effects resulted in less myocardial injury, mandating further studies focused on the impact of preoperative CHO on myocardial ischaemia and cardiac function after coronary revascularisation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT 02330263.

Comparison of miRNA signature versus conventional biomarkers before and after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft.

Circulating levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their expression patterns are supposed to serve as signatures for diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular events. The present study aimed at determining if there is any correlation between the release pattern of 2 miRNAs and the plasma levels of conventional biomarkers cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK) and uric acid (UA) in patients undergoing their first off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OCABG). Seventy OCABG patients (69% men, aged 59.2±8.2years) were enrolled. Emergencies, re-operations, abnormal preoperative serum cTnI and combined procedures were excluded from this study. Pre-operative mean ejection fraction was 45.8±8.6%, the average number of grafts was 3±0.87/patient, and the internal mammary artery was used for all. Beside conventional clinical assays, we performed real-time quantitative PCR to analyze the circulating levels of miR-155, miR-126 and miR-499 at 1day before surgery as well as 4days after surgery. Importantly, there was no report of myocardial infarction in our patients, pre- or post-operatively. In contrast to conventional biomarkers cTnI and CK, circulating levels of miRNAs decreased significantly (P<0.01) after revascularization surgery. A significant positive correlation was seen between the cTnI and miR-499 (r∼0.53, P<0.01) and between miR-126 and UA (r∼0.5, P<0.01). Time course study of circulating miR-499, miR-126 and miR-155 in cardiac surgery clarified their advantage and correlations to the traditional biomarkers cTnI, total CK, CK-MB and UA. Our results suggest that this signature is a novel, early biomarker which indicates myocardial ischemia in cardiac surgery. It could be postulated that the application of these miRNAs may be considered for monitoring of response to pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing cardiac ischemia, especially in OCABG candidates.

Perioperative Outcomes, Transfusion Requirements, and Inflammatory Response After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Off-Pump, Mini-Extracorporeal, and On-Pump Circulation Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Mini-extracorporeal circulation (MECC) units were developed to reduce postoperative morbidity, transfusion requirements, and inflammation associated with conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) surgery without the technical demands of the off-pump (OPCAB) technique. We compared perioperative outcomes and inflammatory mediation among OPCAB, MECC, and ONCAB techniques. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 102 patients undergoing elective isolated coronary bypass grafting. Perfusion methods were OPCAB (n = 34), MECC (n = 34), and ONCAB (n = 34). Serial blood samples were collected to measure serum inflammatory markers. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths or strokes. Total red blood cell (RBC) products used in OPCAB, MECC, and ONCAB patients were 0.676, 1.000, and 1.235 units, respectively. Adjusted (by splined Society of Thoracic Surgeons operative risk score) analysis showed no statistically significant differences in mean RBC product use among the different operative systems (OPCAB vs MECC, P = 0.580; OPCAB vs ONCAB, P = 0.311; MECC vs ONCAB, P = 0.633). Adjusted (by Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score and baseline level) mean plasma level differences (24 hours postoperative - baseline) of C-reactive protein for OPCAB (117.89; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 106.23-129.54) and for MECC (124.88; 95% CI, 113.45-136.32) were significantly higher than for ONCAB (98.82; 95% CI, 86.40-111.24). No significant adjusted differences (P = 0.304) in interleukin-6 level changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass and MECC did not significantly reduce mean total RBC transfusion requirements. Off-pump coronary artery bypass and MECC were associated with greater C-reactive protein elevation than ONCAB, suggestive of an increased inflammatory response to each of these techniques.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass: past, present and future of a controversial technology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will examine the current role of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) surgery for the revascularization of ischemic myocardium. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have confirmed earlier findings that OPCAB is associated with less grafts per patient and less complete revascularization, and increased incidence of recurrent angina and need for repeat revascularization procedures, and more frequent rehospitalization for cardiac-related issues. OPCAB does not prevent postoperative renal dysfunction and is associated with worse long-term outcomes. Hospital costs are not reduced and are increased in those OPCAB patients who require intraoperative conversion to ONCAB procedures; however, when multiple arterial grafts are used and a complete revascularization is performed, OPCAB outcomes are equivalent to those of ONCAB procedures. SUMMARY: OPCAB should only be performed by surgeons experienced in this technique in patients in whom a complete revascularization can be achieved; preferably with multiple arterial grafts.

New approaches to cardiovascular surgery.

Modern treatment of cardiovascular disease requires a patient-centered approach. With several technological advances, the options for treatment must be carefully weighed and novel approaches tested for safety and efficacy. In this article, we outline some of the new approaches available to cardiothoracic surgeons for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, transcatheter valve replacement, and hybrid and robotic technology. We discuss current evidence and controversies and highlight the challenges that we face in training surgeons in an environment of ever-evolving surgical techniques.

Long-term survival following coronary artery bypass grafting: off-pump versus on-pump strategies.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare long-term survival after off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). BACKGROUND: Although several large-scale clinical trials have compared the surgical outcomes between off- and on-pump CABG, the long-term survival has not been compared between the 2 surgical strategies in a reasonably sized cohort. METHODS: We evaluated long-term survival data in 5,203 patients (age 62.9 ± 9.1 years, 1,340 females) who underwent elective isolated CABG (off-pump: n = 2,333; on-pump: n = 2,870) from 1989 through 2012. Vital statuses were validated using the Korean National Registry of Vital Statistics. Long-term survival was compared with the use of propensity scores and inverse probability weighting to adjust selection bias. RESULTS: Patients undergoing on-pump CABG had a higher number of distal anastomoses than those undergoing off-pump CABG (3.7 ± 1.2 vs. 3.0 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). Survival data were complete in 5,167 patients (99.3%), with a median follow-up duration of 6.4 years (interquartile range: 3.7 to 10.5 years; maximum 23.1 years). During follow-up, 1,181 patients (22.7%) died. After adjustment, both groups of patients showed a similar risk of death at 30 days (odds ratio: 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35 to 1.40; p = 0.31) and up to 1 year (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.74 to 1.65; p = 0.62). For overall mortality, however, patients undergoing off-pump CABG were at a significantly higher risk of death (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.71; p < 0.0001) compared with those undergoing on-pump CABG. In subgroup analyses, on-pump CABG conferred survival benefits in most demographic, clinical, and anatomic subgroups compared with off-pump CABG. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing elective isolated CABG, on-pump strategy conferred a long-term survival advantage compared with off-pump strategy.

Trends in aortic clamp use during coronary artery bypass surgery: effect of aortic clamping strategies on neurologic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of different clamping strategies during coronary artery bypass grafting on the incidence of postoperative stroke. METHODS: In the present case-control study, all patients at Emory hospitals from 2002 to 2009 with postoperative stroke after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 141) were matched 1:4 to a contemporaneous cohort of patients without postoperative stroke (n = 565). The patients were matched according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' predicted risk of postoperative stroke score, which is based on 26 variables. The patients who received on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were matched separately. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratios was performed to identify the operative variables associated with postoperative stroke. RESULTS: Among the on-pump cohort, the single crossclamp technique was associated with a decreased risk of stroke compared with the double clamp (crossclamp plus partial clamp) technique (odds ratio, 0.385; P = .044). Within the on-pump cohort, no significant difference was seen in the incidence of stroke according to clamp use. Epiaortic ultrasound of the ascending aorta increased from 45.3% in 2002 to 89.4% in 2009. From 2002 to 2009, clamp use decreased from 97.7% of cases to 72.7%. CONCLUSIONS: During on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, the use of a single crossclamp compared with the double clamp technique decreased the risk of postoperative stroke. The use of any aortic clamp decreased and epiaortic ultrasound use increased from 2002 to 2009, indicating a change in the operative technique and surgeon awareness of the potential complications associated with manipulation of the aorta.

The effect of off-pump coronary artery bypass on mortality after acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients requiring surgical revascularisation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) form a clinically heterogeneous group ranging from haemodynamic stability to cardiogenic shock. Whilst 'off-pump' revascularisation (OPCAB) is often considered, patient selection and operative timing remain controversial. This study aims to identify whether OPCAB may confer a mortality benefit over ONCAB in revascularisation for ACS. Secondly, we review the impact of OPCAB on completeness of revascularisation (CR) and long-term re-intervention. METHODS: A systematic literature review identified 9 studies (1 randomised controlled trial) of which 8 fulfilled criteria for meta-analysis. Outcomes for a total of 3001 patients (n=817 OPCAB, 2184 'on-pump' (ONCAB)) were meta-analysed using random effects modelling. Heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and quality scoring were assessed. Primary endpoints were 30-day and mid-term mortality. Secondary endpoints were CR, revascularisation index and re-intervention. RESULTS: OPCAB conferred comparable mortality to ONCAB at both 30-days and mid-term follow up (p=0.08 and p=0.46 respectively). OPCAB was also associated with less CR (WMD -0.60, 95% CI [-0.82, -0.38], p<0.00001) and a lower revascularisation index (WMD -0.25, 95% CI [-0.30, -0.19], p<0.00001), although no difference was observed in re-intervention rate (OR 1.33; 95% CI [0.99, 2.07], p=0.99). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that OPCAB may be a safe and comparable alternative to ONCAB in clinically stable ACS patients requiring urgent/emergent revascularisation. However, in order to finally determine whether OPCAB may provide any more than just comparability to ONCAB in the setting of ACS, further research must clearly define selection criteria, better characterize this heterogeneous patient group and assess the effects of incomplete revascularisation on long-term outcomes.