Objective: Our experience with excellent in hospital results of robotic assisted multivessel minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass with port-access stabilization and cardiac positioning, prompted us to evaluate the midterm results of the surgery.
Methods: From January2003 to May 2005, 68 patients (64.3 ± 9.5 years) underwent multivessel robotic assisted MIDCAB at our institute. Average number of bypass grafts were 2.4. All the grafts were arterial conduits. Follow up was conducted to evaluate, MACE (major adverse cardiac event) and angina class.
Results: Median follow up was 2.5 yrs (1.6 - 3.3 yrs). Follow up was complete in 75 %( n=51) of patients. one patient had cardiac related mortality due to mitral valve prolapse surgery. One patient died with esophageal cancer. 40 patients were totally asymptomatic, one patient requires sublinguial nitro for stable angina. 8 patients needed repeat cath due to positive stress test out of which 7 patients needed reintervention. 4 patients required intervention of the native arteries due to progression of native artery disease and 2 patients had stenting of composite radial artery graft. One patient had stenting of RIMA graft. One patient had patent grafts.
Conclusions: Our midterm results indicates low target vessel reintervention and excellent symptomatic status in patients undergoing multivessel robotic MIDCAB. Continuing follow up to access long term outcomes is essential.