Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting without mechanical stabilization in minipericardiotomy.

Stabilization and exposure of coronary vessels in off-pump bypass grafting is achieved by means of different and expensive mechanical stabilizers. We describe a new technique of stabilization and exposure of target vessels by using only a ‘double suspension-stabilization stitch’ without the support of mechanical stabilizers. In accomplishing left anterior descending and right coronary artery off-pump bypass grafting, this technique has resulted in a good hemodynamic stability, in no epicardial damage and surgical trauma, and finally it represents a costless procedure. 2005 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.