CABG is one of the most common procedures we perform. During this operation, cardiothoracic surgeons use one of several techniques to bypass blocked coronary arteries and reestablish blood flow to the heart.
Severe coronary artery disease can cause plaque to build up along the inside of your coronary arteries – blood vessels carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Plaque build-up can narrow the openings of your arteries, reducing the blood flow to your heart and causing chest pain called angina.
Plaque hardens over time and sometimes ruptures. When this happens, blood clots can form at the site of the rupture. Such blood clots can completely block the artery and cause a heart attack. In fact, such blockages are the most common causes of heart attacks, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
To perform CABG, cardiothoracic surgeons use a healthy vein or artery from the body to bypass the blockage and create a new pathway for blood to reach the heart. During one procedure, surgeons may bypass multiple coronary arteries.
Prognosis
Although CABG is a major open surgery that requires a large incision made in the chest, results are typically excellent. The procedure significantly improves or eliminates symptoms of angina, and it often allows patients to remain symptom-free for as many as 15 years. CABG also may lower your risk for suffering a heart attack, according to the NHLBI.
For more information about Parkridge Cardiothoracic Surgery or to schedule an appointment, call (423) 698-2435.