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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft SurgeryCoronary artery bypass graft surgery treats a narrowed or blocked artery in your heart. The coronaryarteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart.Over time, a fatty substance called plaque can build up in 1 or more of these arteries, blocking orpartially blocking blood flow. When this happens, you may need surgery to treat the blockage.Coronary artery bypass graft surgery improves blood flow to the heart by rerouting blood around theblockage. You may hear this surgery called “cabbage” for short.Before the surgery, you’ll be given medicines that put you to sleep.To reroute your blood, your surgeon will first need a healthy blood vessel from somewhere else inyour body. This blood vessel is called a graft. It’s usually taken from your arm, leg, or chest.Your surgeon then makes a cut down the center of your chest. They open your breastbone to reachyour heart.In traditional or “on pump” CABG surgery, your heart is stopped and you are connected to a heartlung machine. This device keeps blood pumping throughout your body during the surgery.Another option is called “off-pump” CABG surgery. In “off-pump” CABG, your heart is not stopped anda heart-lung machine is not used. Instead, your heart is steadied with a mechanical device, butcontinues to beat. Your surgical team will talk with you about which option is best for your situation.Either way, the next step is for your surgeon to attach the graft. They will attach 1 end of the graft to amajor blood vessel above your heart. They will attach the other end to the coronary artery below theblockage. This creates a new route, or bypass, for blood to flow around the blockage.If you have multiple blockages, you may need more than 1 graft.When the grafts are done, your surgeon will restart your heart if needed. They will sew yourbreastbone back together with wire, and close the cut in your chest.CABG surgery usually takes about 3 to 6 hours, depending on how many grafts are needed. It usuallytakes 6 to 12 weeks to fully recover.CABG surgery doesn’t cure heart disease, but it does improve how your heart works and can helpyou feel better. It can also lower your risk of a heart attack.In addition to surgery, your care team may recommend medicines and heart-healthy lifestyle changesto improve your symptoms even more.Page 1 ofThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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Heart & Vascular Center
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