| Health Awareness - Coronary Bypass Surgery |
| What is Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery? | |
| How is coronary bypass done? | |
| What happens after a bypass operation? | |
| What is Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery? | |
A Coronary Artery Bypass Graft operation is a type of heart surgery. It is sometimes referred to as CABG or "cabbage." The surgery is done to reroute, or "bypass," blood around clogged arteries and improve the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. The buildup over time of fat, cholesterol and other substances often clog these arteries. The narrowing of these arteries is called atherosclerosis. It slows or stops the flow of blood through the heart?s blood vessels and can lead to a heart attack. |
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| How is coronary bypass done? | |
During bypass surgery, your doctor may "borrow" blood vessels from other places in your body: A piece from a long vein in your leg may be removed and one end is sewn onto the large artery leaving your heart ? the aorta. The other end of the vein is attached or "grafted" to the coronary artery below the blocked area. An artery may be detached from your chest wall and the open end attached to the coronary artery below the blocked area. Either way, blood can then use this new path to once again flow freely to the heart muscle. Cardiopulmonary bypass with a pump oxygenator (heart-lung machine) is used for nearly all-coronary bypass graft operations. This means that besides the surgeon, cardiac anesthesiologist and surgical nurse, a competent perfusionist (blood flow specialist) is required. |
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| What happens after a bypass operation? | |
After a bypass operation, patients are often advised to modify their diets to reduce their consumption of fat and cholesterol. They may also be advised to walk or perform other physical activity to help them regain their strength. Doctors also often recommend following a home routine of increasing activity ? doing light housework, going out, visiting friends, climbing stairs. The goal is to help a patient return to a normal, active lifestyle. |
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