Miniaturized versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass in high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective: To review our results with the use of miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass (Mini-CPB) versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (C-CPB) in high-risk patients (additive EuroSCORE≥6) who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).Patients and methods: This study includes a consecutive series of 236 patients with an additive EuroSCORE≥6 who underwent CABG, employing either C-CPB or Mini-CPB. Propensity score analysis was performed.Results: The study groups had similar EuroSCOREs. Stroke rate was significantly higher among C-CPB patients (5.4% vs. 0%, p=0.026). In-hospital mortality (4.8% vs. 3.4%, p=0.75) and combined adverse end-point rate were higher in C-CPB patients (20.4% vs. 13.5%, p=0.18). Postoperative bleeding and need for transfusion were similar in the study groups, but re-sternotomy for bleeding was more frequent among C-CPB patients (4.8% vs. 1.1%, p=0.26). Seventy-four propensity matched pairs had similar immediate postoperative results: C-CPB patients had higher mort...