External shunt for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: distal coronary perfusion catheter.

We invented a simple external shunt catheter for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. This catheter maintains coronary perfusion from femoral artery, prevents ischemia, reduces back-bleeding, and acts as a suture guide by preventing accidental missuturing of the posterior coronary wall. The insertion and withdraw technique is easier than intraluminal shunt. This catheter would be a useful tool for myocardial protection during off-pump revascularization.