Guida GA, Guida CA, Bruno VD, et al. - Researchers retrospectively analyzed data of a total of 2,528 consecutive patients (578 women, mean age 62.3 ± 9.1 years) who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a left thoracotomy in order to delineate the experience at 2 centers with this technique. No conversions to median sternotomy were observed and conversion to on-pump CABG was reported in 6 patients (0.2%). The mean number of grafts per patient was 2.8 ± 0. 9. Extubation was required in most patients in the operating theatre (97.3%), and re-exploration for bleeding was done in 47 patients (1.9%). Outcomes suggest the safety of undertaking a left thoracotomy as an alternative to a median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart, with low early complications and good mid- and long-term results.