Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on new coronary revascularisation techniques for coronary artery disease.

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: OPCAB and MIDCAB appear at this stage to be promising alternatives to conventional CABG in patients with accessible arteries. Results from long-term comparison with conventional CABG are needed before widespread use is advisable, as there is some concern that the standard of anastamosis may be poorer when performed on the beating heart. - Service impact: The new revascularisation techniques will require further training for surgeons on what is generally agreed to be a steep learning curve. If trial results are replicated in practice widespread use of OPCAB and MIDCAB may lead to cost savings. - Patient issues: OPCAB and MIDCAB may be preferable options for many patients as recovery times, morbidity and complications are reportedly significantly reduced. Once widely available there may to be increasing demand for this type of revascularisation. - Financial and overall NHS impact: Early results indicate that OPCAB and MIDCAB are likely to cost less at hospital level but there may be high training costs for surgeons.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre