Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
This page will give you information about a coronary artery
bypass graft. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease is a narrowing of the coronary arteries
(blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen). It
reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to angina and
heart attacks.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The main benefit is to reduce angina. Surgery may also improve
your breathlessness and how well your heart works. Sometimes
surgery can reduce the risk of you having a heart attack.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
For some people it may be possible to have a percutaneous
coronary intervention (PCI) to widen or unblock an artery using a
small inflatable balloon. Coronary artery disease can be treated
using drugs.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and
usually takes about three hours. Your surgeon will make a cut down
the front of your chest, through the breastbone. You will be
connected to a heart-lung machine, which allows the heart to be
still while the bypasses are performed.
Your surgeon will use a length of blood vessel, taken from
elsewhere in your body, to bypass the blockage and so restore a
good blood supply to your heart (see figure 1).
Figure 1: Coronary Artery Bypass
What complications can happen?
General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
Specific complications of this operation
- Stroke
- Infection in the chest wound
- Heart attack
- Death
How soon will I recover?
After the operation you will be transferred to the cardiac
intensive-care unit or high-dependency unit, usually for 24 hours,
and then to the ward.
You should be able to go home after seven to ten days.
Your surgeon, physiotherapist and occupational therapist will
tell you when you can return to normal activities.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
You should make a good recovery, with relief of angina. However,
symptoms can sometimes come back.
Summary
Coronary artery disease can cause pain, shortness of breath and
heart attacks. A coronary artery bypass graft can relieve your pain
and may help you to live longer.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Edward Black MBBS FRCS (CTh)
Illustrations: Medical Illustration Copyright © 2007 Nucleus
Medical Art. All rights reserved. www.nucleusinc.com.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare
Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
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You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.