The π-Circuit Technique in Coronary Surgery: Analysis of 1359 Consecutive Cases.

Coronary artery bypass surgery still has its unique role in the treatment of coronary artery disease. It faces, however, the continuous challenge of becoming even less invasive and more effective as cases become more complex. We here present the results of 1359 cases treated with the π-circuit technique which consists of an off-pump total myocardial revascularization using composite arterial grafts.

Anaortic coronary surgery using the Π-circuit is associated with a low incidence of perioperative neurological complications.

Objectives: Our goal was to compare the observed and the expected rates of postoperative cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in a large cohort of consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the ∏-circuit as a no-touch technique.

Methods: From January 2001 to May 2016, 3081 patients were consecutively submitted to an off-pump CABG operation using the ∏-circuit. A CVA was defined as a neurological deficit, lasting less (transient ischaemic attack) or more (stroke) than 24 h, diagnosed by a neurologist and confirmed by a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain.