Sometimes cardiac catheterization reveals extensive coronary artery disease. In such cases, you will need to undergo coronary bypass surgery.
Standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is performed if many coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. This is especially recommended when the left main coronary artery shows significant blockage. This is "open heart surgery," meaning that the chest wall is opened. When performing a bypass, heart surgeons use sections of the mammary artery from the chest, radial arteries from the arms, or veins from the legs to create detours around the blocked arteries. For this surgery, you will be connected to a bypass pump, which does the work of the heart during the operation. Although this sounds dangerous, this surgery is considered very safe and has a very low rate of complications.
Off-pump bypass surgery: Sometimes the surgeon can perform open heart surgery without using a bypass pump. The heart continues to beat during surgery. This type of surgery has even fewer complications than the standard procedure but is not always feasible.
Minimally invasive coronary bypass: If just the front or the right coronary artery needs bypass, the bypass may be performed via a small keyhole-type incision without a large incision in the chest. The internal mammary artery is used for the bypass.
Circulatory System
Circulatory System, or cardiovascular system, in humans, the combined function of the heart, blood, and blood vessels to transport oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues throughout the body and carry away waste products. Among its vital functions, the circulatory system increases the flow of blood to meet increased energy demands during exercise and regulates body temperature.
