Description of the procedure
In coronary artery bypass surgery, the surgeon removes a piece of blood vessel (a vein or artery) from somewhere in the body - usually from the leg, forearm, or behind the ribcage - and attaches it above and below a damaged section of the coronary artery. This creates a bypass and allows blood to flow around the narrowed artery to the heart.
Two coronary artery bypass grafts in different parts of the heart.
When should this procedure be performed?
This surgery is usually recommended if there is disease of the left main coronary artery, disease in several vessels, a decrease in the pumping function of the heart, or if non-surgical methods have failed. In addition, if a heart valve needs to be fixed, bypasses of the arteries are performed at the same time, if this is needed.
Why is this procedure performed?
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is performed to increase the flow of blood to the heart. Blood flow may be restricted because of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is the buildup of plaque inside the arteries that feed into the heart. This buildup reduces the flow of blood to the heart so the heart may not get enough oxygen and nutrients. This is known as ischemia. This in turn causes shortness of breath, chest pain, and increases the risk of a heart attack.
Are there any risks and precautions I should know about?
Because coronary artery bypass graft surgery is not a cure for coronary artery disease, there is the risk that in time, the coronary arteries will again become blocked, requiring further treatment.
The risks associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery include:
- bleeding
- cognitive problems, including difficulties with long-term memory, comprehension, calculation skills, and concentration (more common with use of the heart-lung machine)
- depression
- heart attack or stroke
- infection
- risks associated with use of general anesthetic, including side effects to the anesthetic, and breathing problems
- death
Next Page