an increasing trendP = 0.06
Since there were no differences in postoperative LVEF between DNC and CBC groups, a subgroup analysis of patients with pre-operative LVEF ≤ 35% revealed an increasing trend of LVEF after surgery in both groups (pre-operative LVEF, CBC group: 26 ± 7, DNC group: 30 ± 6, P = 0.06; post-operative LVEF, CBC group: 41 ± 14, DNC group: 43 ± 12, P = 0.58), which could be explained by satisfactory revascularization [ 13 ].