Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, or known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is a surgery that helps restore sufficient blood flow to the arteries, when someone is suffering from blockage or partial blockage. Patients with coronary artery disease often need cardiac bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery), when exercising, dieting, and pharmaceuticals, offer no help. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is a common surgery, with an estimated 500,00 surgeries done per year in the U.S. alone.
When to Have Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?
Patients with coronary artery disease are at an increase risk of heart attack or stroke. Because almost all cases of heart attacks are caused by narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries, cardiologists will suggest cardiac bypass if you meet several requirements.
Deposits of cholesterol can build up in the lining of blood vessels, also known as plaque. This buildup reduces blood flow and hardens the blood vessels, known as atherosclerosis. The build up reduces blood flow to the heart, which can be cause angina when the heart needs more oxygen (as in exercise or in emotional distress). Primarily coronary artery bypass can ameliorate the affects of coronary artery disease, which is why it’s preformed. Control and prevention of further damage from coronary artery disease should include control of obesity – diet programs, increase in physical activity and bariatric surgery as a last resort. The gastric bypass surgery has been proven to produce substantial sustained long-term weight loss.
Cardiac bypass surgery helps to increase the life span of a patient and/or to improve the quality of life. Cardiac bypass surgery cannot cure any disease, it can only help by keeping it in check.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Forms
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass, also known as beating heart, is a form of coronary artery surgery without a cardopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine). Research suggests that “beating heart” surgery may be less risky, as less debris breaks loose in the procedure. Patients who are at an increase health risk will prefer the off-pump coronary artery surgery, because of reduced likelihood of stroke and memory problems and the faster recovery times.
Risks of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
With any major surgical procedure there will be risks and complications, and coronary artery bypass is no different. Some of the most common risks include: Heart Attacks (Which occur in 5% to 10% of patients and may cause death), organ failure (liver, kidney, lung), blood clots, stroke (sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen), infection of the wound and too much blood loss. Overall, death occurs in about 3% of patients.
The amount of risks a patient will face from cardiac bypass surgery will increase as a patient’s health decreases. Increased age, diabetes, chronic lung disease, women, and more, are likely to face higher risks undergoing the surgery.