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