Preserved autoregulation of coronary flow after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: retrospective assessment of intraoperative transit time flowmetry with and without intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.

In contrast to previous reports for conventional CABG, graft flow after OPCAB was not necessarily increased by IABP, regardless of elevated diastolic arterial pressure. It is suggested that preserved autoregulation of coronary flow contributes to a lower impact on the heart and early functional recovery, and consequently, greater perioperative safety of OPCAB.