During Surgery
During CABG surgery, blood vessels are taken from other areas of the body such as the legs, chest, and arms. These vessels are sewn (grafted) directly onto the diseased artery of the heart. This creates a bypass route for blood to flow to the heart.
Arteries and veins may be used as bypass grafts. The decision for which blood vessel to use depends on the amount and location of the blockage and the size of your coronary arteries. If possible, arteries rather than veins are used for they often have the best long-term effect (artery bypass grafts remain open longer).
After the vessels to be used in the graft are removed, nearby blood pathways take over the work of supplying needed blood to the area. This is called collateral circulation.
A minimally invasive method may be used to obtain the blood vessels using a special instrument called an endoscope. Thus, there is a smaller incision:
Traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
The surgeon will make an incision down the center of your breastbone (sternum) to reach your heart. During surgery, the heart is stopped to allow your heart to be repaired. A heart lung machine takes over the work of your heart and lungs and keeps your blood and oxygen circulating.
The bypass is performed by making a small opening in the blocked coronary artery. One end of the blood vessel graft is sewn into the opening. The other end is attached to the large blood vessel called the aorta. Up to four or five bypasses may be done during surgery.
Once the work on your heart is completed, your heart is re-started and you will be taken off the heart lung machine.
Off Pump Heart Bypass Surgery
Surgeons at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute may choose to do your CABG without stopping your heart. This is called an Off Pump CABG. Doing an off pump CABG may lower the risk for patients who have severe lung or kidney disease or who are at high risk for stroke.
Recovery
After surgery, the surgeon will meet with your family in the waiting room to give them a progress report and answer any questions they may have.
You will spend the first 24 to 48 hours in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), (312) 926-5123. The remainder of your recovery period will be on the Surgical Telemetry Floor, located on the 16th floor of the Feinberg Pavilion, (312) 926-2350.
The usual length of hospitalization for your surgery is four to five days, depending on your surgery and your progress.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Before Surgery
Day of Surgery
During Surgery
After Surgery
Discharge
Review Date: 03/07
