Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting [CABG] is usually performed on patients with coronary artery disease when they have one or more critically blocked vessels that supply blood to the heart. Coronary artery patients usually present to the cardiologist[1] with critical occlusions caused by cholesterol or calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This disease is a lifestyle disease and has many risk factors including uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure and or smoking[2] along with family history of coronary artery disease and lack of exercise.
Dr. J. Saravana Ganesh,Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Kauvery Hospital talks about Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
Understanding Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
The coronary artery supplies blood to the heart muscles. When this artery gets clogged with fats, the supply of blood to the heart gets reduced.
One way to treat this is by performing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery[3] wherein the blocked part of the artery is bypassed using a blood vessel taken from another part of the patient’s body.
This blood vessel used for bypass, also known as a graft, is usually taken from the patient’s wrist, leg or chest.
The graft is attached above and below the clogged artery thus bypassing it and rerouting the blood to the heart muscles through a different pathway.
Also Read: 4 Silent Signals for Clogged Arteries[4]
Symptoms of Coronary Heart Block
Pain in the chest
Weakness and fatigue
Breathlessness
Swollen hands or feet
Rapid or irregular heart beat[5]
Note, this blog post was updated on March 26, 2021
The Procedure
The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia[6] and will take around 3-6 hours.
During surgery the heart rate, blood pressure and other parameters will be monitored continuously.
The grafts will first be removed from the wrists/legs and the cut will be closed.
The sternum is then cut to access the heart.
The exact procedure to do the coronary artery bypass grafting varies depending upon the patient’s specific condition.
Irrespective of the procedure used, the doctor after placing the graft will observe closely to make sure the grafts are in working condition.
Once satisfied, the sternum will be sewn together and closed.
After the Surgery
The patient will be taken to the ICU for observation.
A few days of hospitalization will be necessary.
Initially, breathing will be assisted with a ventilator and slowly the use of a ventilator will be stopped.
The doctor and nurses will help the patient through each stage of the recovery process.
The area of incision will have some pain for which pain medications will be given.
Any medication taken has to be under strict medical supervision only.
The doctor and his team will give post-operative instructions which will have to be followed even after discharge.
The doctor has to be informed immediately in case the following conditions manifest:
o High fever
o Bleeding
o Breathlessness
o Feeling of numbness
o Vomiting
o Pain increases around the area where incisions were made
Do have a detailed discussion with your cardiologist[7] before undergoing the procedure. Get all your doubts cleared. Lastly, do understand that even after surgery lifestyle changes will have to be made and followed for successful recovery.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.