HEART AND LUNG SURGERY << BACK Beating Heart Surgery Beating heart surgery, or "off pump" surgery, is heart surgery performed without the use of a heart-lung machine to stop the heart during the procedure. Beating heart surgery poses less risk for patients with poor health or a history of stroke or diabetes. In some cases, the surgeon may still need to use the heart-lung machine during the procedure. Beating heart surgery is preferred in many cases because it may lead to a quicker recovery, less time in the hospital, less trauma to the heart muscle, and a lower risk of stroke, liver or kidney complications. At Providence, about 60 percent of all coronary artery bypass surgeries are performed on beating hearts. Providence cardiovascular surgeons also perform surgery for atrial fibrillation on beating hearts.