Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a very effective therapy for treating patients with coronary atherosclerosis. It is particularly suitable for patients with certain types of disease patterns:
- Multi-vessel coronary artery disease
- Proximal coronary artery disease (e.g. left main coronary artery disease)
- Disease affecting the Left Anterior Descending Artery (where surgical revascularisation has shown both life enhancing and long term patency rates superior to any other intervention)
The principle of surgery is to create an alternative blood supply for the heart, a bit like new inserting “new” roads or flyovers onto your heart arteries. This is performed by stitching new arteries or veins beyond the blockages in your coronary arteries to improve the blood flow to the deprived heart muscle.
Traditionally, the operation is performed using a full breastbone cut. A heart-lung machine is used in order that the heart can be stopped.
