Surgical techniques
All patients underwent OPCABG operation were through a standard
median-sternotomy with the left internal mammary artery (LIMA)
harvested. Standard anesthetic induction was performed with intravenous
propofol or dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and vecuronium, which was
followed by a standard monitoring of arterial catheterization and
Swan-Ganz catheter. Heparin was administered to maintain adequate
heparinization (ACT, activated clotting time>250seconds).
Commercially available mechanical stabilization devices such as the
Octopus 2 were used to stabilize the coronary targets on the beating
heart and pericardial traction sutures were used where appropriate.
Retrograde bleeding was controlled with a sterile, humidified carbon
dioxide blower. Distal anastomoses were constructed with a continuous
running 7-0 polypropylene suture and proximal anastomoses 6-0
polypropylene
suture1,31-35.