Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, pronounced “cabbage”) surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery, is a surgical procedure to restore normal blood flow to an obstructed coronary artery. A normal coronary artery transports blood to the heart muscle itself, not through the main circulatory system.

There are two main approaches. In one, the left internal thoracic artery, LITA (also called left internal mammary artery, LIMA) is diverted to the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. In this method, the artery is “pedicled” which means it is not detached from the origin. In the other, a great saphenous vein is removed from a leg; one end is attached to the aorta or one of its major branches, and the other end is attached to the obstructed artery immediately after the obstruction to restore blood flow.

Instructions

How is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery performed?

Most coronary bypass surgeries are done through a long incision in the chest while a heart-lung machine keeps blood and oxygen flowing through your body. This is called on-pump coronary bypass surgery. The surgeon cuts down the center of the chest along the breastbone and spreads open the rib cage to expose the heart.

FAQ

How long does a coronary artery bypass graft CABG last?

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery usually lasts 3 to 6 hours. But it may take longer depending on how many blood vessels are being attached. Blood vessels can be taken from your leg (saphenous vein), inside your chest (internal mammary artery), or your arm (radial artery).

Which graft is used in CABG?

As the most commonly used bypass grafts, the internal thoracic (mammary) artery (ITA) grafts show the best long-term results. In most cases, the artery is left intact at its origin, with the opposite end sewn to the coronary artery below the site of the blockage.

Why would someone need a coronary artery bypass graft?

Your doctor uses coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) to treat a blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries to restore the blood supply to your heart muscle. Symptoms of coronary artery disease may include: Chest pain. Fatigue (severe tiredness)