Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting through left antero-lateral thoracotomy (Thora-cab) – Case report and review of literature

We report the first case of off-pump complete myocardial revascularization through antero-lateral thoracotomy (Thora-CAB) in Middle-East. 69 year old gentleman having angina pectoris for last three years with severe double vessel disease involving the left anterior descending artery (95% proximal lesion) and the circumflex system (80% mid circumflex lesion with significant osteal disease in obtuse marginal) and insignificant disease in right coronary artery with moderate left ventricular impairment underwent Thora-CAB. Post-operatively, he had minimal pain, quick symptomatic improvement and no complications. He was discharged home on 5th post-operative day. This indicates that the thoracotomy approach is safe and practical for CABG. It is well tolerated hemodynamically with no/ minimal post-operative morbidity.