Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a surgical procedure that helps improve the blood flow to the heart. This procedure is used to treat various heart conditions such as heart attack, silent myocardial ischemia, and angina pectoris, which are mostly caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
In CABG surgery, the surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel, typically from the patient’s leg or chest, to bypass the blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, providing an alternate route for blood flow to the heart muscle.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is also known as heart bypass surgery.
The doctor may also recommend dietary changes, physiotherapy, and medications to optimize the patient’s health before the surgery.
During the CABG surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest to expose the heart. In some cases, a minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions may be used. The surgeon then uses a heart-lung machine to maintain blood and oxygen flow during the procedure.
The surgeon then harvests a healthy blood vessel, typically from the patient’s chest (internal mammary artery) or leg (saphenous vein), and uses it to create a bypass around the blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, thereby restoring blood flow to the heart muscle..
At many leading cardiac centers in Delhi, such as Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals, surgeons perform total arterial revascularization using bilateral internal mammary arteries, which provides superior long-term outcomes.
After the surgery, the patient will be closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days. They may experience some pain and discomfort at the incision site, which can be managed with pain medication.
Patients are typically advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks after the surgery to allow proper healing. Cardiac rehabilitation programs and lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, are crucial for a successful recovery and long-term management of the underlying heart condition.
As with any major surgical procedure, CABG carries some risks, including:
These complications can be minimized through proper pre-operative preparation, meticulous surgical techniques, and close post-operative monitoring and care.
Overall, CABG is a well-established and effective treatment option for patients with severe coronary artery disease in Delhi and other parts of India, with excellent long-term outcomes when performed by experienced cardiac surgeons.
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