Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery is where a new pathway is created around a blocked artery or arteries, bypassing them so that blood flow can continue to the heart.
Coronary artery bypass surgery is recommended if angioplasty is unsuccessful, if the location of blockage is difficult to access by angioplasty or if there is blockage to two or more major vessels.
An open-heart surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery involves the use of a heart-lung pump that is used to reroute blood away from the heart. The pump works as the body's heart and lungs, allowing the surgeon to operate on a "still heart" while maintaining oxygenated blood flow to the body.
Are there alternative options to bypass surgery? Under certain circumstances, patients may be candidates for newer bypass procedures, such as:
Minimally invasive bypass surgery, which involves making a smaller incision in the chest.
"Off-pump" bypass surgery, which is performed on the beating heart without the aid of the heart-lung machine.
Both types of surgery have restrictions and may not be ideal for many patients. Your cardiologist should discuss the various treatment options available to you.
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