Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative outcomes in pa-tients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting ( OPCABG) . Methods One hundred and twen-ty-two patients of both sexes, aged 40-75 yr, with body mass index of 18. 5-32. 0 kg∕m2 , of American So-ciety of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ, with New York Heart Association Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with lelf ventricular ejection fraction>40％, scheduled for elective OPCABG, were divided into 2 groups ( n=61 each) using a random number table method: dexmedetomidine group ( group D) and control group ( group C) . Dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused in a loading dose of 0. 6μg∕kg at 15 min before anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0. 4 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until the end of surgical procedure in group D. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. The emergence time, extubation time, length of intensive care unit stay and postoperative length of hospital stay were also recorded. Results Compared with group C, the extubation time, length of intensive care unit stay, and postoperative length of hospital stay were significantly shortened, and the emergence time was prolonged in group D ( P<0. 05) . Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can promote postoperative outcomes in the patients undergoing OPCABG.