Abstract

Objective: To assess neurological impairment after the off-pump and on-pump techniques in patients with first-time isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methodology: One hundred twenty patients undergoing first-time isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery prospectively at Baqiatallah University Hospital, Tehran, Iran were randomised to the off-pump or on-pump technique. Change in NIHSS score was measured at 30 days postoperatively. Results: The on-pump group showed a significantly greater deterioration in scores than the off-pump group. The incidence of TIA at 30 days postoperatively was 15.3 (9 out of 60) in the on-pump group and 5 (3 out of 60) in the off-pump group. (P=0.05). The incidence of Stroke at 30 days postoperatively was 3.4 (2 out of 60) in the off-pump group, while no one from off-pump group suffered from stroke. (P=0.05) Conclusion,: Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery results in less neurological impairment than the on-pump technique.