Sarasota Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting PDF - Click Here to Print

Coronary artery bypass grafting is the most commonly performed "open heart" operation in the United States. It is done to relieve symptoms and prolong life. The procedure uses veins from the legs or arteries from the chest wall to "bypass" blockages in the coronary arteries. The operation is performed under a general anesthetic. An incision is made down the front of the chest (sternum) called a median sternotomy. This allows the surgeon to visualize the heart and aorta. The patient is then connected to a heart lung machine (or pump) while the bypasses are being performed. The pump performs the function of supplying oxygenated blood to the body while the bypasses are being performed. The grafts are attached by connecting a healthy artery or vein to the side of a coronary artery a short distance away from the blockage. A tiny hole is then made in the aorta and the healthy artery or vein is connected to it. The process is repeated for the remaining grafts. The doctor makes sure the graft supplies adequate blood to the heart. After the bypasses have been completed the patients are taken off the heart lung machine and their own heart takes over again.

Our surgeon is performing endoscopic vein harvesting to remove the necessary vein from the leg. Rather than making long incisions down the leg, an endoscope is used through one or two small incision sites near the knee to retrieve the vein. This procedure allows for less pain and will permit you to return to your normal activities at a faster rate.

Other techniques, for some patients, include performing the operation without the use of the heart lung machine and using smaller incisions. See Minimally Invasive Procedures.

What to expect:

• Before Surgery
• After Surgery
• Post-Operative Activity
• Cardiac Rehab