This particular population showed a decrease in complications after beating-heart surgery compared with conventional bypass surgery. Breathing tubes were often removed during the surgery, which is more comfortable for patients. The rate of organ failure was lower. The incidence of neurological problems decreased. But now, the general population, which has fewer health complications, is having the beating-heart surgery more and more, and the differences are not as pronounced.
Patients prefer the idea of allowing their hearts to beat naturally.
They like knowing that there is a good chance that they won't still be on a breathing tube when they wake up. And even though the evidence is anecdotal that beating-heart bypass surgery has somewhat better results, hearing physicians say that patients seem to look better, feel better and get back into their routines faster is a powerful deciding factor. Surgery Requires Skill, Practice, Patience Operating on a beating heart takes a lot of skill and practice. Surgeons need to feel confident with every stitch, and the entire surgical team must be comfortable with the procedure. Since there have not yet been widespread study results on beating-heart bypass surgery, time will tell exactly how it compares with the traditional bypass procedure.