Why Is Beating-Heart CABG Needed?

Beating-heart bypass surgery is recommended for patients who:

• Have significant coronary artery blockages
• Are at high risk for complications from heart-lung machine use
• Are elderly
• Have kidney disease
• Have lung disease
• Have a history of stroke
• Have calcified or fragile aortas

Not all patients are suitable candidates. The decision depends on heart anatomy, number of blocked arteries, and overall health.

How Is Beating-Heart CABG Different from Conventional CABG?

Blood Vessels Used for Bypass

The surgeon uses healthy blood vessels from the patient's own body, such as:

• Internal mammary artery (most preferred)
• Radial artery (from the arm)
• Saphenous vein (from the leg)

These grafts create new pathways for blood to reach the heart muscle.

How Is Beating-Heart CABG Performed?

Preoperative Preparation

• Coronary angiography
• Blood tests and imaging
• ECG and echocardiogram
• Anesthesia assessment
• Instructions regarding fasting and medications

During the Surgery

• General anesthesia is administered
• The chest is opened through the breastbone
• The heart continues to beat
• Special stabilizers hold the target area steady
• Bypass grafts are attached to blocked arteries
• Blood flow is restored through the new grafts

The surgery typically lasts 3–5 hours, depending on the number of bypasses required.

Advantages of Beating-Heart Bypass Surgery

Beating-heart CABG offers several important benefits:

• Reduced risk of stroke
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Lower risk of kidney complications
• Reduced inflammation
• Shorter ICU and hospital stay
• Faster recovery in selected patients
• Less impact on memory and cognitive function

Recovery After Beating-Heart CABG

Hospital Recovery

• ICU stay of 1–2 days
• Monitoring of heart rhythm and blood pressure
• Pain management
• Gradual mobilization
• Hospital discharge in 4–6 days (in most cases)

Home Recovery

• Resume light activities within a few weeks
• Avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks
• Maintain wound hygiene
• Attend cardiac rehabilitation
• Follow prescribed medications strictly

Full recovery usually takes 6–10 weeks, which may be faster than conventional bypass surgery for many patients.

Risks and Possible Complications

Although beating-heart CABG is safe and effective, potential risks include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Irregular heartbeat
• Incomplete revascularization (rare)
• Heart attack (rare)
• Need to convert to conventional CABG during surgery (in some cases)

The overall complication rate is low when performed by experienced cardiac surgeons.

Life After Beating-Heart Bypass Surgery

Long-term success depends on lifestyle changes and medical follow-up:

• Heart-healthy diet
• Regular exercise as advised
• Smoking cessation
• Control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol
• Long-term medications such as antiplatelets and statins
• Regular cardiology check-ups

Beating-heart CABG significantly improves quality of life but does not cure coronary artery disease.

Success Rate and Long-Term Outcomes

• High success rate in experienced centers
• Excellent symptom relief from chest pain
• Improved heart function
• Comparable long-term graft patency to conventional CABG
• Durable results when combined with lifestyle modification

Who Is Not Suitable for Beating-Heart CABG?

This procedure may not be ideal for:

• Patients with very complex or deep coronary arteries
• Patients requiring multiple difficult grafts
• Emergency cases with unstable blood pressure

Your cardiac surgeon will decide the best approach after thorough evaluation.