Anaortic coronary surgery using the Π-circuit is associated with a low incidence of perioperative neurological complications.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to compare the observed and the expected rates of postoperative cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in a large cohort of consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the ∏-circuit as a no-touch technique.

METHODS: From January 2001 to May 2016, 3081 patients were consecutively submitted to an off-pump CABG operation using the ∏-circuit. A CVA was defined as a neurological deficit, lasting less (transient ischaemic attack) or more (stroke) than 24 h, diagnosed by a neurologist and confirmed by a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain. The primary end point was to compare the observed and the expected rates of CVAs; the latter was obtained using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' calculator. The secondary end point was to compare the observed and the expected mortality rates using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' calculator and the prevalence of postoperative complications. Moreover, we identified some subgroups at higher risk.

RESULTS: The postoperative rate of CVAs was 0.5% (14 cases): 2 (0.1%) were transient ischaemic attacks and 12 (0.4%) were strokes. The mean expected CVA rate (1.6%) was significantly higher than the observed rate (P < 0.001). None of patients who experienced postoperative CVAs died. The observed mortality was 1.3% (40 patients) vs the expected mortality (2.6%), which was significantly higher (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified age >70 years old, diabetes, extracardiac vasculopathy and chronic renal failure as risk factors for postoperative CVAs. However, in all the subgroups of risk, except for those with chronic renal failure, the use of the ∏-circuit was associated with a low rate of CVAs.

CONCLUSIONS: The ∏-circuit should be included as a possible choice among no-touch techniques. The observed rate of CVAs of 75% is lower than the expected rate.