Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

What is a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft?

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), often referred to as heart bypass surgery, is the most common type of open-heart surgery in the United States. During the procedure, a heart surgeon uses a healthy vein (usually from the leg) or artery to “bypass” a clogged artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle.

Purpose of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

The goals of a CABG procedure are to:

• Restore blood flow to the heart muscle
• Relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, particularly heart-related chest pain (angina)
• Allow you to resume a normal lifestyle
• Lower your risk of a heart attack or other heart problem

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedure

Typically, bypass surgery is an open-heart procedure. It may be performed in combination with other heart surgeries to treat, for example, a valve problem, aortic aneurysm or atrial fibrillation.

However, not everyone with coronary artery disease needs bypass surgery. Other treatments such as angioplasty with stents, medications and lifestyle changes can be effective for some patients.

If surgery is necessary, you can be confident that you will get the very best care before, during and after your surgery – to quickly get you back to living an active, rewarding life.