Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG)

Efficient and effective treatment for Heart Bypass surgery

Due to high cholesterol levels in the body, fatty substances known as plaques get deposited on the walls of the coronary arteries (blood vessels in the heart). This condition is known as atherosclerosis. As a result of this, the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle gets limited, giving rise to coronary artery disease (CAD).

Some of the common symptoms of CAD are listed below.

• Angina (chest pain)
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Swelling in the hands and feet

To treat this condition in the patient, cardiac surgeons perform heart bypass surgery medically referred to as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure that is performed to keep the blood flowing to the heart muscles through the arteries.  In this procedure, surgeons create an alternative pathway called a bypass, utilising blood vessels from the patient's legs or wrists. This bypass is a new route for the blood supply to the heart, thus improving the overall blood flow.

Heart bypass surgery is suggested when less invasive treatments such as angioplasty and stent placement have not prevented or reduced alleviating symptoms caused as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD).

In CABG, a blood vessel (graft) is taken from the chest, arm, or leg and attached to the coronary artery below and above the narrowed area or blockage. The number of grafts required depends on the severity of the condition. The procedure is carried out under anesthesia and takes about 3-6 hours. The hospital stay is 6-8 days and the first follow-up appointment is usually scheduled after 8-9 weeks of surgery. One can resume normal routine within 6 days but strenuous activities are avoided. Most people recover completely within 12 weeks. 

After surgery, symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness improve and the risk of heart attack is lowered.