2.2 | Operative technique
All procedures were done through a median sternotomy. Standard surgical
techniques were used. Heparinization was standardized for off-pump or
on-pump surgery. The surgeon was given flexibility and discretion to
ensure that his choice of technique would ensure the patient´s safety
(including the choice of anatomic regions to revascularize or which
graft to use). For the on-pump group, the surgeries were performed with
the usual methods of CPB with a single aortic cross-clamp technique.
Myocardial protection strategies included antegrade and retrograde blood
cardioplegia, and moderate hypothermia. For both types of surgeries, an
excellent exposure was required, a motionless and bloodless surgical
field and hemodynamic stability of the patient. Conversion from the
assigned procedure to the other procedure was performed when clinically
necessary. The operative data are listed in Table 2.
TABLE 2 Operative data