Coronary Artery Bypass

What is Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?

The coronary artery provides essential blood flow to the heart muscle to allow it to pump blood throughout the rest of the body.  Sometimes, this artery becomes blocked or partially blocked making it difficult for the heart to function properly.  Coronary artery bypass surgery utilizes healthy blood vessels or grafts, to reroute blood around the blockage.  Our surgeons utilize the latest and least invasive techniques possible to achieve less blood loss, reduced pain, and achieve a shorter length of stay and faster recovery.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgical Treatment Options:

Graft (CABG): Your surgeon may use a graft to bypass the blockage by attaching one end of the graft above the blockage, and the other end below the blockage.  Blood is able to flow through the graft to reach the heart muscle.

Off Pump (OPCAB): The off-pump procedure provides a safer alternative to the heart-lung machine. Surgeons attach the bypass graft to the blocked artery while the heart is beating. This is accomplished using state of the art devices to stabilize the heart.

Minimally Invasive: The MIDCAB treats blockages in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) as well as its branches. (Right-sided blockage may be treated with a hybrid MIDCAB.) The surgeon makes a small incision between the ribs on the patient’s left side. Heart-lung equipment may or may not be used.

Robotic Assisted: The most recent technological advance, RACAB provides access to the coronary arteries without opening the sternum. The surgeon does not have direct contact with the patient but guides robotic instrumentation via a video monitor.

Hybrid: Complex coronary blockages can be treated using a combination of the least invasive methods for revascularization (reestablishing blood flow to the heart). This can be performed in partnership with invasive cardiology whereby a single vessel coronary artery bypass can be performed  using minimally invasive approaches with percutaneous approaches to other coronary blockages in the hybrid operating room

After Surgery:

Coronary Artery bypass surgery will not cure the blockages that are formed in the heart, but will ease symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath.  Additionally, the procedure greatly reduces the risk of heart attack, other heart complications, and even death.  Recovery from surgery will depend on which surgical treatment option is performed.