Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): A Beginner's Guide.

By Peter Jumba

 Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): A Beginner's Guide.

Vein graft and Artery graft as shown in a heart surgery/ source: Google Images 

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), or heart bypass surgery, is a procedure to restore blood flow to the heart by using healthy blood vessels from another body part to bypass blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It's a treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) to relieve chest pain, prevent heart attacks, and improve heart function. The surgery involves taking a vein or artery, typically from the arm or leg, and connecting it to the coronary artery, creating a new path for blood to reach the heart. 

 

How it works:

  • Preparation: The surgical team harvests a healthy blood vessel, usually a vein from the leg or an artery from the chest wall or arm. 


  • Grafting: This vessel is then attached to the blocked coronary artery, creating a new pathway or "bypass" around the blockage. 



When it's needed:

To treat severe coronary artery disease (CAD), where arteries supplying the heart are narrowed or blocked by plaques. 

  • To relieve chest pain (angina). 


  • To lower the risk of a heart attack. 



Different types of CABG:


  • Off-Pump CABG: The surgery is performed while the heart is still beating, using special instruments to stabilize the heart. 



Recovery:

Recovery can take time, with patients typically staying in the hospital for about a week.

Patients are encouraged to make lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, to support the surgery's long-term success.


Risks:

Like any surgery, CABG carries risks, including bleeding, infection, stroke, and heart attack. These are rare, but potential complications exist. 

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