What is Heart Bypass Surgery?

Coronary artery bypass surgery, called CABG or "cabbage" for short, is a type of cardiothoracic surgery, or chest surgery, which reroutes - or bypasses - the flow of blood around arteries which are clogged. This improves the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary arteries, which are the arteries through which blood flows to the heart, can sometimes become clogged by the buildup of cholesterol or fat. This clogging slows or stops the flow of blood to the heart, which in turn can lead to pain in the chest, or even a heart attack. The object of heart bypass surgery is to increase the flow of blood to the heart to restore optimal heart functioning.

The surgeon takes a piece of blood vessel from the chest or leg of the patient and grafts it onto the aorta, the artery which leaves the heart, and then he grafts the other end to the coronary artery beneath the block, thus creating a detour around the arterial blockage. The number of bypasses - single, double, triple, quadruple - refer to how many coronary arteries are bypassed in the operation, which depends upon the number of blocked coronary arteries. A triple bypass Illinois means that three coronary arteries are bypassed. In some bypass operations a heart lung machine is employed to maintain the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart during the procedure.

When the surgery is over the patient is placed in the intensive care unit so that the heart rate and the blood pressure can be monitored continuously for a day or so. Medication which regulates blood pressure and circulation are given intravenously, and a breathing tube may be used until the patient is able to breathe alone. The patient may feel disoriented and groggy upon awakening. The places where incisions have been made may be painful, so painkilling medications may be given if needed. Normally patients remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days, and sometimes longer. After being released from the hospital some patients suffer side effects such as pain and swelling in the places from which blood vessels were harvested, and pain in the muscles of the shoulders and back. Constipation and appetite loss are sometimes experienced.

Also some patients suffer fatigue, depression, and insomnia. In most cases these side effects disappear within a month or two. Normally patients are placed in cardiac rehabilitation programs under the supervision of a physician. These programs teach exercise, diet, and techniques to manage stress. Patients recovering from heart bypass surgery are advised to walk and engage in physical activity, and also to eat less cholesterol and fat, in order to return to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible. Patients with sedentary work in offices can usually return to the job in a month or two; those with employment which is more demanding physically may take longer, or necessitate a change of jobs.

Modern cardiothoracic surgery has benefited immensely by the introduction of minimally invasive robotic heart bypass surgery. This new technique uses much smaller incisions than traditional methods, which results in faster healing, fewer side effects, and a shorter hospital stay. If you are in the greater Chicago area and need heart surgery, whether single, double, or triple bypass Illinois, Riverside Medical Center can explain your options and help you make the wisest decision.

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