Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass: technical considerations.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) uses a small anterior left thoracotomy incision and harvesting of the left internal mammary artery with an anastomosis performed to the left anterior descending artery without cardiopulmonary bypass. There is renewed interest in minimally invasive coronary surgery and hybrid revascularization. This article describes a standardized approach that has been consistently successful in our institution.