CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

An Introduction to Heart Bypass Surgery

May 22, 2009 David Henry

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is one of the most common major operations, and it can help to prevent heart attacks in patients with heart disease.

The heart is a muscle that beats 60-100 beats per minute, and almost 3 billion times during the life of a human being! This activity requires a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are supplied to the heart muscle by coronary arteries.

In "atherosclerosis," or coronary artery disease, fatty plaques develop within these coronary arteries and block blood flow to the heart muscle. This can cause angina pectoris (chest pain) and a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Genetics, a high-fat diet, obesity, smoking, and not exercising all increase a person's risk of developing coronary artery disease and having a heart attack.

What is Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a 3- to 6-hour operation in which the patient's own veins or synthetic grafts are connected to the coronary arteries to allow blood to flow around the blockages (atherosclerotic plaques). This allows the heart muscle beyond the blockages to continue to receive blood flow and oxygen, and it may prevent a heart attack.

Tests Before the Surgery

Before the CABG, the patient will undergo many tests to ensure that the major operation can safely be performed. These tests include an EKG, echocardiogram, blood typing, blood tests, and coronary angiography. Angiography is a test in which dye flows through the coronary arteries and allows the physician to see the extent of blockages within the blood vessels.

How the Surgery is Performed

The CABG is a 3- to 6-hour operation. The heart surgeon will divide the sternum (breastbone) to allow access to the heart and coronary arteries. The patient may be placed on the heart/lung bypass machine so that the heart does not beat while the surgery is being performed. If the bypass machine is used, the surgery is called "on-pump." If the bypass machine is not used, the surgery is "off-pump" and the heart beats during the operation.

The surgeon will then connect either your own blood vessels (veins or arteries) or synthetic grafts to the coronary arteries both before and after the blockage. This will divert oxygenated blood around the blockage and deliver the blood to the heart muscle. Once this is complete, the surgeon will close the sternum with wires and will close the skin with sutures.

After the Surgery

The patient will be in the cardiac intensive care unit for one or more days and will stay in the hospital for three to eight days if no complications occur. The patient will be groggy after the surgery due to anesthesia and may require a breathing tube (intubation) for several days after the surgery.

Is It Safe?

The coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is effective at delivering oxygen to the heart muscle and preventing heart attacks. However, after the operation, bleeding, infection, pneumonia, arrhythmias, and other heart and lung problems can occur.

References

Atrial Fibrillation

CABG

WebMD

Society for Thoracic Surgeons

The copyright of the article CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in General Medicine is owned by David Henry. Permission to republish CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Coronary artery bypass surgery

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