Coronary surgery or “bypass” surgery consists of getting blood to the heart through a series of grafts (arteries under the sternum and veins in the legs). In this way, the lesions in the coronary arteries are bypassed.
In which cases is coronary surgery indicated?
Coronary surgery is performed in patients with coronary artery disease who do not benefit from stenting techniques. In general, the greater the number of coronary vessels affected, the greater the success of coronary surgery. Another group of patients who especially benefit from coronary surgery are diabetic patients and patients with dysfunction of the contractile force of the heart.
How coronary surgery is performed
Coronary surgery can be performed without stopping the heart or with the help of cardiopulmonary bypass. First, the grafts that will be sutured to the heart are removed. These grafts are mainly the mammary arteries under the sternum, the radial artery of the arm and the veins of the legs. Subsequently, these grafts are sutured to the diseased arteries of the heart and blood reaches the heart, eliminating angina and the risk of infarction.
How is the recovery from coronary surgery?
Coronary surgery is a safe and very effective surgery. From the day after the intervention the patient can eat and in less than 48 hours walking.
Normally, patients usually stay one week on the ward and then they can be discharged. It usually takes three or four weeks to return to normal activity.
Complications of coronary surgery
Current technology allows coronary surgery to be very safe, making complications minimal and risks very low. The risk of wound infection is minimal and the risk of cardiac or vascular problems is even lower.