An open heart surgery, coronary artery bypass involves the grafting of a piece of healthy artery obtained from elsewhere in the body to the aorta in order to bypass an unhealthy or blocked artery. This procedure uses a sternum incision and a heart-lung machine to circulate the patient’s blood during the procedure while the heart is stopped.
Also Known As:
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
- CABG
- Heart surgery
- Open heart surgery
- Heart valve surgery
- Heart bypass surgery
Conditions Treated with Coronary Artery Bypass:
Coronary artery bypass is utilized in cases of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.
Non-surgical alternatives to coronary artery bypass include dietary changes, weight loss, lifestyle changes, blood pressure medication, blood thinners and vasodilators. Minimally invasive bypass surgery is a surgical alternative to the procedure.
Anesthesia with Coronary Artery Bypass:
Coronary artery bypass is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure.
Potential Complications from Coronary Artery Bypass:
Possible risks following coronary artery bypass include infection, bleeding, blood clots, scarring and a negative reaction to the anesthesia. In some cases, a blood transfusion is needed.
Prognosis after Coronary Artery Bypass:
The prognosis for a positive end result following coronary artery bypass is very good. In most cases, arterial grafts last ten years or longer.
Recovery from Coronary Artery Bypass:
Total recovery from coronary artery bypass takes six to eight weeks.