Systematic review of beating heart surgery with the Octopus (R) Tissue Stabilizer

The safety and efficacy of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery with the aid of the Octopus® Tissue Stabilizer (Octopus OPCAB), in comparison to conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CPB-CABG), was examined by a systematic assessment of the peer-reviewed literature. The limited comparative data suggested that there was no difference in safety outcomes between Octopus OPCAB and CPB-CABG. The paucity of efficacy data reported in the higher level comparative studies meant that it was impossible to assess whether Octopus OPCAB was more efficacious than CPB-CABG. The evidence base for the procedure was deemed inadequate and an audit of the procedure was recommended.N.A. Scott, J.L. Knight, B.P. Bidstrup, H. Wolfenden, R. N. Linacre and G. J. Madder