Coronary artery bypass surgery consists of bypassing the arteries of the heart with lesions. The aim is to supply them with blood and thus avoid cardiac angina and myocardial infarction.
Treatment of coronary lesions
Coronary lesions can be treated with stents or surgically. Each patient benefits more from one intervention or the other depending on his or her characteristics.
Surgery is especially beneficial when many coronary vessels are affected, in diabetic patients and when cardiac function is depressed.
Coronary surgery can be performed with and without extracorporeal circulation. Arteries below the sternum, in the arm and leg veins can be used as grafts. Your specialist in Cardiac Surgery will explain what is most convenient in your case.
Risks of coronary surgery
Nowadays, coronary surgery is very safe and effective. After the operation, the normal stay is 24-48 hours in the ICU and discharge home after a week on the ward.
From the beginning, the patient walks and leads an active life, returning to normal life in 3-4 weeks.
Complications are nowadays very rare, being less than 2-3% of cases.