Beating-heart CABG surgery is a practical option for patients requiring myocardial revascularization and who have contraindications to cardiopulmonary bypass. However, nurses should be aware of the indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of each method of revascularization, which are provided in this article. In addition, the author discusses the sequelae of cardiopulmonary bypass and the need for associated nursing interventions.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer in the United States among both men and women, affecting approximately 20% of the population before the age of 60 years.1 Each year, coronary artery disease is diagnosed in more than 1 million persons.2 Of this group, approximately 300 000 will undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG ) surgery.2 In the mid-1990s, the estimated annual cost of cardiac surgical procedures performed in the United States was $9 billion, and this estimate did not include an additional $1.2 billion incurred because of...

You do not currently have access to this content.