Heart bypass surgery

Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is a surgical procedure used to improve blood flow to the heart. It is typically performed on patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD).

Overview

Heart bypass surgery involves grafting a blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass a blocked artery in the heart. This allows blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed coronary artery, improving blood supply to the heart muscle.

Indications

Heart bypass surgery is typically recommended for patients with severe coronary artery disease, where one or more of the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed. This can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and increased risk of heart attack.

Procedure

During heart bypass surgery, a blood vessel from another part of the body, usually the chest, leg or arm, is grafted to the blocked coronary artery. The graft creates a new route for blood to flow to the heart muscle.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, heart bypass surgery carries risks. These can include infection, bleeding, stroke, heart attack, or death. Patients may also experience arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or heart failure following the procedure.

Recovery

Recovery from heart bypass surgery typically involves a stay in the hospital for several days, followed by several weeks of recovery at home. Patients are usually advised to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program to help improve their heart health and reduce the risk of future heart problems.

See Also

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Cardiac rehabilitation

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