Objective To review our experience of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting （MIDCAB） via a lower median ministernotomy in 72 cases. Methods Via a lower median ministernotomy,the left internal mammary artery was harvested to bypass the left anterior descending coronary artery. Saphenous vein was resected and used for single - or multi-vessel coronary revascularization on the beating heart. Results There were 1 operative death （1.4 % ）. Complications occurred in 3 patients （4.2%）. The operative duration was 195.6 ± 50. 6 min. The number of distal anastomoses was 2.3±0. 8（1-4）. The median time to tracheal extubation, and lengths of postoperative ICU and hospital stays were 11 hours, 3 and 9 days, respectively. Total chest drainage was 8. 54±5.9 ml/kg and 47 patients needed blood transfusion with an amount of 1 091.3±636.2 ml. The incision on the chest wall was 9 to 11 cm long in all cases. Sixty-six patients （92.9%, 66/71） were followed-up for a duration of 36.2±17.6 months. There were no late death and 43 patients （65.2%） were free from angina. Eighteen patients （27.3%, 18/ 66） experienced marked relief of their symptoms. Conclusions MIDCAB is possible via a lower ministernotomy for single - or multi-vessel coronary revascularization. The small incision reduces the risk of infection and blood loss. It is safe, easy and requires no special operative instruments.