Beating versus arrested heart coronary revascularization: evaluation by cardiac troponin I release.

Background: This prospective randomized study aimed to compare beating and arrested heart revascularization in patients undergoing first elective coronary artery bypass graft, with cardiac troponin I release used to evaluate myocardial injury.

Methods: Seventy patients were randomly assigned to a beating or arrested heart revascularization group. Cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in serial venous blood samples drawn preoperatively in both groups: after aortic unclamping at 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours in the arrested heart group and after the last anastomosis at 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours in the beating heart group.