ObjectiveTo describe our experiences of application of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCABG) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with dilated left ventricle.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 303 patients with dilated left ventricle [left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD)> 60 mm] who underwent OPCABG from January 2008 to December 2018 at a single center was conducted. There were 205 males and 98 females at age of 45-87 (66.9±9.3) years.ResultsThe mean pulmonary artery pressure in 90 patients was more than 25 mm Hg. Sixteen patients underwent OPCABG with emergent transition of extracorporeal circulation (CPB). Twenty-one patients underwent OPCABG with CPB at the beginning of CABG. Thirty-five patients underwent intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP). Four patients died during in-hospital time with the experience of emergent transition of CPB. Six months after operation, LVEDD and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were improved.ConclusionOPCABG is a safe and effective alternative for CAD patients with dilated left ventricle. However, for patients with higher pulmonary pressure and a spherical left ventricle after cardiac reshaping, there is a high risk of emergent transition of CPB during OPCABG; for this kind of patients, it is necessary to start CPB at the beginning of OPCABG.
