Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery, often referred to as CABG, is a procedure that creates new pathways for blood to flow around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Surgeons use blood vessels from another part of the body to bypass the blockage and restore healthy circulation to the heart muscle.

CABG can be performed in several ways, depending on the patient's condition:

• Traditional CABG – Uses a heart-lung machine to temporarily stop the heart.
• Off-Pump CABG – Performed while the heart is still beating.
• Minimally Invasive CABG – Involves smaller incisions, often between the ribs.

CABG is usually recommended for patients with severe coronary artery disease, especially when multiple arteries are blocked, symptoms are disabling, or other treatments like medication or stenting are not effective.

CABG improves blood flow to the heart, relieves angina (chest pain), increases physical capacity, and lowers the risk of heart attack and death in high-risk patients.

Potential risks include infection, bleeding, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, or complications from anesthesia. Your surgical team will evaluate and minimize these risks.

Preparation may include stopping certain medications, undergoing pre-surgical testing, and arranging for recovery support at home. You’ll receive detailed instructions from your care team.

During CABG, surgeons make an incision in the chest, harvest a healthy blood vessel (often from the leg or chest), and graft it to reroute blood around the blocked artery. The procedure can take 3 to 6 hours depending on the number of bypasses.

You’ll be monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) before transitioning to a cardiac recovery unit. Most patients spend 5–7 days in the hospital and begin rehabilitation soon after.

Full recovery can take 6 to 12 weeks. Cardiac rehabilitation helps you regain strength, reduce risk factors, and return to normal activities safely.