What is the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Technique?

The heart is a muscular organ whose contraction (heartbeat) drives the blood to reach the rest of the organs so that they can be nourished and function properly. The blood that nourishes the heart arrives through three conduits, the coronary arteries. When coronary stenosis occurs, these ducts are narrowed and are not able to provide the heart with sufficient blood flow.

The coronary artery bypass grafting technique consists of connecting other conduits (the patient’s own arteries or veins) to the heart to provide it with all the blood it needs to contract with sufficient force.

This type of surgery is indicated when coronary stenosis exceeds 70% and causes symptoms in the patient (angina). However, sometimes, if the disease affects only one or two coronary arteries, the possibility of implanting stents can give excellent results and avoid surgery.

Surgery steps

Coronary artery bypass surgery is a common and standardized procedure. First, the grafts to be used as conduits are removed, and then the connections to the heart are made.

This last part of the procedure can be done with or without extracorporeal circulation (heart-lung machine). This will depend on the type of case and the surgeon’s experience with one or the other technique.

Prognosis

The risk of this type of surgery is currently very low and generally below 1-2%. In fact the risk will depend, more than on the surgical technique, on other considerations such as age, previous renal or vascular pathology or the “fragility” of the patient.

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The postoperative period is usually well tolerated and the patient remains hospitalized for approximately 6-8 days. Full recovery usually takes about two months, although it will also depend on the patient’s previous conditions.