In the present study we identify parameters which influence the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and cardiac mortality after minimal invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG). With a mean follow-up of 30+/-11.2 months, 390 patients were assessed with Wald test-corrected chi(2) analysis to identify preoperative factors which correlate with a higher incidence of post-MIDCABG MI, PCI, CABG and mortality from cardiac causes. We found an increased incidence of postoperative MI in patients with 2-vessel (8.7%) and 3-vessel (7.7%) vs. 1.3% 1-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) (P=0.023), and in patients with preceding cardiac procedure (CABG and PCI: 8.4% vs. 2.0% without, P=0.023). Also diabetes was associated with higher post-MIDCABG frequency of MI (P=0.035). Severity of angina was associated with lesser post-MIDCAB-PCI (P=0.011) while preceding CABG predicted a higher incidence (P=0.012). Preoperative low ejection fraction (EF) (multivariate, P<0.001), preoperative MI (P=0.007) and extent of CAD (P=0.001) were associated with a higher post-MIDCABG mortality. None of the parameters correlated with subsequent CABG MIDCABG. The extent and history of CAD, history of cardiac interventions and low EF seem to influence the outcome adversely and should be considered deciding pro or against the MIDCAB-option.