Which statement best describes staged revascularization?

• A. Staged revascularization refers to performing grafts in more than one operation to reduce cost
• B. Staged revascularization refers to performing grafts in more than than one operation to reduce ischemic time and physiologic stress
• C. Staged revascularization means using only venous grafts
• D. Staged revascularization shortens hospital stay to zero

Answer: (B)

Staged revascularization means splitting the revascularization into more than one operation. The goal is to lessen the myocardial ischemic burden and physiologic stress for patients with multivessel disease by keeping the bypass and cross-clamp times shorter in each procedure and letting the patient recover between stages. This approach is chosen to improve safety and outcomes when addressing complex coronary disease, not to chase cost savings, not to mandate venous grafts, and not to promise an impossibly short hospital stay.