Improved Early Outcomes With Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The ongoing debate surrounding coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without cardiopulmonary bypass persists, particularly in individuals with left ventricular dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these 2 strategies through a comprehensive meta-analysis of existing studies. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Registry was conducted from inception to July 2023. The primary focus was on studies comparing on-pump versus off-pump CABG as the primary treatment for multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤40%), with mortality as the primary outcome. The meta-analysis included 26 studies with a total of 35,863 patients. The results revealed a significant reduction in mortality risk [risk ratio (RR), 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60–0.93; P = 0.009] and other perioperative morbidities associated with off-pump CABG. These included stroke (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54–0.82; P = 0.0002), myocardial infarction (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56–0.97; P = 0.03), pulmonary complications (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55–0.92; P = 0.010), postoperative transfusion (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55–0.88; P = 0.002), neurological dysfunction (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64–1.00; P = 0.05), infection (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56–0.97; P = 0.03), renal failure (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67–0.95; P = 0.010), and reoperation for bleeding (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52–0.84; P = 0.0006). However, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups regarding postoperative atrial fibrillation (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84–1.12; P = 0.69). In conclusion, off-pump CABG demonstrates a lower perioperative mortality risk and improved overall early outcomes compared with on-pump techniques in individuals with reduced left ventricular function.