Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Why is CABG done?

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft is done to create a new path around significantly blocked or narrowed coronary arteries to facilitate sufficient flow of blood and nutrients into the heart muscles. The complete or partial block in arteries is caused by coronary heart disease (CAD) – the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the arteries, resulting in

Angina or chest pain due to inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscles

Myocardial infarction or heart attack due to critically low blood flow

 How is CABG done?

A healthy vein or artery is taken from the arm, leg or chest of the patient to form the bypass vessel.

The chest is opened by making an incision through the breastbone and the heart lung bypass machine takes over pumping of blood for the heart.

The coronary artery is cut a short distance from the blockage to which one end of the graft is connected while the other end is connected to the aorta, which helps blood to bypass the blockage and flow.

If more than one artery is blocked more grafts are placed to bypass them.

At the end of surgery, the sternum is wired together with stainless steel and the chest incision is sewn back.

Please see animation below for a CABG Surgery.