Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart. Surgeons use CABG to treat people who have severe coronary heart disease (CHD).

CABG

Overview

CHD is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain or a heart attack.

CABG is one treatment for CHD. During CABG, a healthy artery or vein from the body is connected, or grafted, to the blocked coronary artery. The grafted artery or vein bypasses (that is, goes around) the blocked portion of the coronary artery. This creates a new path for oxygen-rich blood to flow to the heart muscle.

Procedure

Surgeons can bypass multiple coronary arteries during one surgery. This is why the name of the surgery is "bypass grafting" because a graft is used to bypass a blockage in the coronary artery.

The most common type of CABG is called on-pump CABG because a heart-lung machine is used. Another type of CABG, off-pump CABG, is done while the heart is still beating.

Risks

As with any surgery, CABG has risks. These include infection, bleeding, and complications from anesthesia. The risk of complications is higher in people who are older or who have other health conditions like diabetes.

Recovery

Recovery from CABG takes time. Most people need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. Full recovery can take 6 to 12 weeks.

Prevention

Lifestyle changes and medicines can help prevent CHD and the need for CABG.

See Also

• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Chest pain

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