This is a new type of surgery that uses smaller incisions to do the bypass. As a result, there is sometimes less pain and a faster recovery compared to more traditional open chest heart surgery. This procedure may be done without stopping the heart. It can be done to bypass one or more coronary blood vessels.

Some patients can leave the hospital within 48 hours. This operation is only used for patients whose blockages can be bypassed through the smaller incision and whose risk of complications is low. You should find out from your surgeon if this is an option for you.

Another approach used to minimize the impact of surgery during a coronary bypass operation is what is called beating heart surgery. This can be used both with minimally invasive surgery or traditional open chest surgery. During this type of surgery, the heart is beating and the heart-lung machine is not used.

Many factors determine whether traditional, beating heart or minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery is best. Discuss these options with your surgeon.