Coronary artery surgery performed using off-pump techniques on the beating heart without resorting to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is becoming more prevalent. The main objective of the off-pump technique is avoidance of unfavorable effects of both CPB and concomitantly used body cooling methods on physiological systems. The superiority of off-pump over on-pump techniques is debated especially in patients of advanced age; in patients with a decreased ejection fraction; in the settings of reoperation, cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, and bleeding diathesis; and in patients with an extremely calcific aorta or in whom the use of whole blood or blood products is contraindicated [1,2,3].

Neurological damage is the most common of the noncardiac complications that occur during and after coronary artery surgery [4]. Potential neurological damage ranges widely from cognitive dysfunction to permanent neurological damage, such as stroke [5]. With various monitoring techniques. It is possible to trace both the cellular integrity and electrical activity of the central nervous system. Such techniques are employed to preclude potential neurological damage [6]. A newly developed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique displays the hemoglobin concentration of the brain tissue, which can be an early sign of damage [7].

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) techniques, the superiority and favorable and unfavorable aspects of which have been debated, on cerebral oxygenation using NIRS.

This study included 13 (32.5%) female and 27 (67.5%) male patients. The mean age of the patients was 58.22 ± 6.45 years. No intergroup differences were found in age, height, body weight, or sex (P > 0.05). The operative time in the on-pump group (228.25 ± 23.63 min) was longer than that in the off-pump group (150.40 ± 9.89 min) (P < 0.01).

In the intergroup comparison, the Hct in the off-pump group was higher after completion of the distal and proximal anastomosis, closure of the sternotomy, at 3 h postoperatively, and at 2 days postoperatively (P < 0.01) (Fig. 1). In the intragroup comparison, however, the Hct in both groups was significantly lower than the preoperative baseline Hct after the sternotomy; after closure of the sternotomy incision; after completion of the distal and proximal anastomosis; at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h postoperatively; and at 1, 2, and 3 days postoperatively (P < 0.01) (Fig. 1).

In the intergroup comparison, the MAP in the on-pump group was higher than that in the off-pump group after the distal anastomosis (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2). In the intragroup comparison, when compared with the preoperative baseline value, the MAP in the on-pump group was higher after sternotomy and lower after the distal anastomosis, after the proximal anastomosis, after closure of the sternotomy incision, and at 1 day postoperatively (P < 0.01) as well as at 2 h postoperatively (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2). In the off-pump group, the MAP after sternotomy was higher than the preoperative baseline MAP (P < 0.05), while it was lower after the distal and proximal anastomosis, after closure of the sternotomy incision, and at 1 day postoperatively (P < 0.01) as well as at 2 (P < 0.05), 3 (P < 0.01), and 6 h postoperatively (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2).

The SpO₂ levels were comparable in the intergroup comparison (P > 0.05). In the intragroup comparison, however, the SpO₂ levels were higher than the preoperative baseline values in both groups due to the high FIO₂ during the sternotomy, after the distal and proximal anastomosis, after closure of the sternotomy incision (P < 0.01), before the distal anastomosis, at 1 day postoperatively (on-pump group, P < 0.05; off-pump group, P < 0.01), and at 2, 3, and 6 h postoperatively (P < 0.01).

In the intergroup comparison, the body temperature was higher in the off-pump group after the distal and proximal anastomosis (P < 0.01) (Fig. 3). However, in the intragroup comparison, the body temperature was lower than the preoperative baseline value after the sternotomy, after the distal and proximal anastomosis, and after closure of the sternotomy in both groups (P < 0.01).

The PCO₂ values did not differ in either the intragroup or intergroup comparison (P > 0.05).

In the intergroup comparisons, the mean regional cerebral oximetry value (rSO₂) was relatively higher after the proximal/distal anastomosis in the off-pump group (P < 0.01) (Fig. 4). In the intragroup comparison, the mean rSO₂ levels were lower than the preoperative baseline values in both groups after the sternotomy (on-pump group, P < 0.01; off-pump group, P < 0.05); after the distal/proximal anastomosis; after closure of the sternotomy; at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h postoperatively; and at 1, 2, and 3 days postoperatively (P < 0.01).

The SMMSE scores did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, in the intragroup comparison, the postoperative SMMSE scores were lower than the preoperative baseline SMMSE scores in both groups (on-pump group, P < 0.01; off-pump group, P < 0.05).

Off-pump CABG operations are being performed more frequently because of the development of sophisticated technical equipment and surgical techniques [8,9,10]. Despite these innovations, the advantage of off-pump over on-pump techniques with respect to perioperative and postoperative complications remains a subject of debate. The favorable outcomes of off-pump techniques in patients with serious risk factors, such as lower ejection fractions, established cerebrovascular disease, and advanced age, have been particularly acknowledged [10,12]. Some studies have demonstrated that this technique reduces the amount of blood products required and the need for intraaortic balloon pump application, and significantly improves postoperative cardiac enzyme levels with resultant decreases in the incidence of in-hospital mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, and complications during the early postoperative period. However, other researchers have found similarities between the two CABG techniques with respect to the incidence of in-hospital mortality and major complications [12,15].

Especially in elderly patients, neurological destructive changes are the most common noncardiac complications that occur during and after coronary artery surgery [4,5,16]. The major causes of neurological damage that occurs during cardiac surgery are significant hemodynamic alterations, embolization, cerebral hyperthermia, and inflammatory and neurohumoral disorders [4,5,16]. Another important issue in the prevention of potential neurological damage is neuromonitoring [16]. Especially during operations associated with a higher risk, short-term neuromonitoring can detect warning signs of potential complications, allowing for necessary measures to be taken beforehand to preclude these complications. NIRS monitoring can simultaneously trace intraoperative factors that might affect cerebral oxygenation and metabolism. In patients with low cerebral oxygenation, influential factors can be overviewed and necessary measures can be rapidly taken. This approach prevents the development of potential minor and major neurological complications. In the present study, using NIRS, rSO₂ of the patients which might unfavorably affect intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and metabolism, duration of operation, anastomosis and postoperative mechanical ventilation, blood pressure, Hct, body temperature, and SpO₂ and PCO₂ levels were monitored and evaluated (This list is unclear; please revise to more clearly delineate the first and second parts of the sentence). Neurocognitive functions were also monitored and assessed using the SMMSE scoring system.

Although the present study was not designed to demonstrate the effect of operative times on cerebral oxygenation and the frequency of potential neurological complications, many studies have indicated that prolonged operative times have an impact on the frequency of probable neurological complications [17,20]. The longevity of the surgery was also an important factor in the present study. The operative times did not exceed 250 min, even in cases in which the on-pump technique was applied for anastomosis of two vessels. In fact, studies that have demonstrated unfavorable effects of prolonged operative times on surgical outcomes involved multivessel anastomotic procedures with much longer durations [21]. Although a definitive conclusion cannot be made, prolonged operative times do not apparently increase the frequency of potential complications when using the on-pump technique in one- or two-vessel bypass surgeries. In this study, despite differences in the total operative times, significant alterations in rSO₂ occurred only during CPB and after termination of CPB. Additionally, the rSO₂ values in both groups declined to nearly pre-CPB levels. The similar rSO₂ levels in both groups after CPB and during and after the operation suggest that prolongation of operative times due to the application of the on-pump technique in patients undergoing two-vessel anastomosis does not substantially influence surgical outcomes.

In this study, the SpO₂, pO₂, and PCO₂ values, which might affect neuronal metabolism with ensuing neurological damage, did not differ between the two groups. Maintenance of appropriate intraoperative ventilation and adequate gas perfusion during CPB, as well as monitoring and management of blood gas levels, allowed the blood gas values to be maintained within the reference ranges. Thus, development of hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypocapnia, and hypercapnia and their unfavorable outcomes could be avoided.

In the present study, the on-pump technique affected the Hct more adversely because of the occurrence of normovolemic hemodilution during CPB. Similarly, many studies have demonstrated that the on-pump CABG technique increases the requirement for blood transfusions and postoperative bleeding coming through the implanted drain [2]. In this study, no decreases in the Hct that might have adversely affected cerebral oxygenation were observed during the preoperative or postoperative periods. Although the Hct showed a significantly greater decrease in the on-pump group than in the off-pump group, especially during CPB, the Hct remained at >21% (mean, 24.85% ± 2.28%) (Fig. 1). Previous studies have indicated that in patients with no comorbidities, an Hct of 21% during CPB does not affect cerebral oxygenation or contribute to the development of neuronal damage [22,23].

During off-pump CABG procedures, the heart rate and blood pressure are iatrogenically lowered to facilitate application of distal anastomoses. Under meticulous and controlled premedication, induction of short-term controlled hypotension does not result in serious hemodynamic changes or adverse outcomes [24]. In the present study, the iatrogenically induced decrease in the mean blood pressure during application of the distal anastomoses was substantially greater in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group; however, it did not reach a statistically significant level and remained at 58.50 ± 4.94 mmHg without the development of any resultant complications (Fig. 2).

Induced hypothermia is the mainstay of on-pump CABG, and lowers the cerebral metabolism to prevent neuronal damage [25]. Many studies have indicated that in on-pump CABG, moderate hypothermia and gradual warming of circulatory blood at the termination of CPB with avoidance of hyperthermia provides adequate protection against myocardium and neuronal damage [25,26,27]. In the present study, moderate hypothermia was applied in patients who underwent on-pump surgery. During termination of CPB, the circulatory blood was gradually warmed and the patients were protected from the deleterious effects of hyperthermia. The body temperatures of patients in the off-pump group who were not exposed to hypothermia did not change significantly, while the mean nasopharyngeal temperature decreased to 29.65 ± 0.63℃ in the on-pump group during CPB. During the postoperative period, the patients' body temperatures were maintained at 36 to 37℃ to protect them from the adverse effects of hyperthermia (Fig. 3).

In both groups, the regional oxygenation of the brain exhibited significant changes at different time points in parallel with changes in the factors affecting cerebral oxygenation. A significant increase in the postintubation rSO₂ was observed in both groups when compared with the preoperative baseline levels. This increase was related to the sympathetic response to probable increases in blood pressure and cerebral blood flow. In both the on-pump and off-pump groups, a significant decrease occurred in the rSO₂ relative to baseline values with prolongation of the operative time. This decrease continued until day 3 postoperatively and was interpreted to be an etiological factor in the decline in cognitive functioning observed in both groups. The rSO₂ values significantly decreased due to CPB (Fig. 4). Because the changes in MAP, SpO₂, and PCO₂, all of which can affect cerebral oxygenation during CPB, were of similar magnitude in both groups, the only factor that might have caused this intergroup difference was dilutional anemia induced during CPB. Apart from similarities in other influential factors during CPB, the reduced Hct during CPB caused by induced hemodilution results in a decrease in the amount of oxygen delivered to cerebral tissue [28]. As a result, the rSO₂ levels dropped more sharply during CPB surgery in the on-pump group. However, the similar results obtained in both the rSO₂ and cognitive functions before CPB and during the immediate postoperative period indicate that this intergroup difference had no effect on the outcomes. Despite the significantly greater decrease in rSO₂ during CPB, the similar results indicate the existence of an influential neuroprotective mechanism operating during CPB. We conclude that this neuroprotective effect involves hypothermia applied during CPB surgery. Further data should be obtained in larger-scale studies involving greater numbers of patients to arrive at more robust conclusions on this issue.

In conclusion, CABG performed using either the on-pump or off-pump technique adversely affects cerebral oxygenation and cognitive functions both during the operation and in the immediate postoperative period. The development of innovative techniques and the experience gained in this field have decreased the potential complications to a great extent. The comparative advantages and disadvantages of on-pump and off-pump techniques are debated in the medical literature, and no consensus has been reached. This study demonstrated that despite intraoperative differences, coronary artery surgery performed using either an on-pump or off-pump technique exerts similar effects on cerebral oxygenation during the postoperative period and has a comparable impact on short-term neurocognitive function.