Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Background
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure for ischaemic heart disease - a disease that is caused by the gradual build-up of fat and calcium within the walls of the arteries of the heart causing them to narrow. This build-up reduces the blood flow to the heart’s muscle which can cause chest pain (angina) and if the narrowing becomes very severe or completely blocked it can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
CABG involves bypassing these narrowings or blockages using a graft. The graft goes around the blocked artery to create a new pathway and restore the oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart.
CABG surgery is performed to relieve symptoms (including angina), help the patient resume a normal lifestyle, and to prevent the risk of heart attacks or other heart problems.
How Does Heart Bypass Surgery Work? Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedure Animation:
About the surgery
A general anaesthetic is used. First, the surgeon prepares the graft(s), which can be either an artery or vein or a combination. These come from multiple places, including inside the chest (the internal mammary arteries), leg (saphenous veins), or forearm (radial arteries). Sewing the grafts to the heart is traditionally performed on a still, non-beating heart whilst the patient is on a heart-lung machine (“on-pump surgery”). Alternatively, it can be performed on a beating heart without the heart-lung machine. Adelaide Cardiothoracic Surgeons are experienced in both techniques.
Recovery period
Patients usually stay in the intensive care unit for one to two days for monitoring, and then moved to the ward for four to five days. Two to three tubes stay in the chest to drain fluid from around the heart and are usually removed one to three days after the surgery. Full recovery usually takes about two months. Most patients are able to drive in about four to six weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines for your recovery and return to work.
Risks of the surgery
Your surgeon will calculate your risks specific to you, and discuss them with you.
All patients should consult their cardiothoracic surgeon for specific information about their medical condition and surgery.
For more information:
Read the Heart Foundation Book:
Heart Information: Bypass
Or visit:
Cleveland Clinic CABG
myDr Australia: Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
