Abstract

Extensive obstruction of the distal coronary artery may dictate endarterectomy to allow more reliable flow to the distal arterial bed. Operation can be done with or without the use of extracorporeal circulation. We discussed the results of conventional coronary endarterectomy and those on beating heart . The mid-term results ( 6 months to one year ) of coronary endarterectomy by beating heart technique seems to be comparable to that of the conventional ones. Endarterectomy on beating heart may be a salvage operation for those critically ill patients with extensive atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.