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Cardiac Surgery | by Dr. Manoj Kumar Daga | Published on 28/03/2024
Is your heart not pumping enough blood throughout the body? If yes, then you must book your appointment with the best cardiologists at BM Birla Heart Research Centre in Kolkata. However, in most cases, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is recommended. It is a surgical procedure that helps to improve blood flow in the heart muscle by bypassing coronary arteries that are narrowed or obstructed. If you are keen to know more on this, then keep reading this blog. We will inculcate a comprehensive discussion on this topic here. However, please note that this is research-based information and we do not construe the doctor’s consultation in any way.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition that is treated with bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Any patient with CAD can benefit from improved blood flow to their heart through this surgery. Damaged arteries are avoided by using blood vessels from another body area.
Only in cases where the coronary arteries are damaged or obstructed is surgery advised. Heart failure results from the heart's inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the heart due to blockages in the arteries or restricted blood flow. If the surgeon advises this surgery, it should be done right away because waiting too long could be fatal.
The doctor first administers the number of arteries blocked and then suggests a specific type of coronary artery bypass surgery. Here are some of the surgical techniques for coronary artery bypass include:
The number of blocked arteries identified the risk of cardiac arrest, heart attack, or heart failure. More blocked arteries are a representation of a higher risk of complexity and longer recovery times following surgery.
The goal of heart bypass surgery is to improve blood flow. It is advised when there is a blockage in the left main artery as an emergency treatment for a heart attack or stroke.
The medical team that initially involves the consultation with cardiologists will decide whether coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is necessary. To prevent surgical complications or rule out the possibility, the healthcare team will consider a few medical conditions. These conditions include diabetes, emphysema, kidney disease, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Before scheduling the procedure, reviewing any concerns with the surgeon is essential. It is also vital to discuss any over-the-counter (OTC) medications that the patient may be taking and their family's clinical history. Compared to emergency surgery, planned surgery offers improved results.
The patient at first is asked to change into a hospital dress before the procedure, and the doctor will begin administering fluids, medicine, and anesthesia via an IV. The patient will drift off to a deep, painless sleep.
The surgeon will then start the CABG procedure by making an incision in the middle of the chest. The rib cage is opened up to see the heart. The surgeon in the next step chooses minimally invasive surgery that involves the use of tiny instruments, robotic procedures, and smaller incisions.
As the patient's heart is being operated on, the patient will be attached to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine then as it will pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Sometimes the surgery is initiated through off-pump without needing a connection to the cardiopulmonary bypass machine.
To avoid the clogged artery in this step, the physician will remove the healthy blood vessels from the impacted body part like a leg. After the completion of the CABG procedure, the surgeon will evaluate the bypass's functionality. The patient at last will be sutured, dressed, and taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring as soon as it functions.
After the coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, the doctor usually recommends acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage pain. Other medications are also prescribed to the patients that can help and fasten the recovery process. It is vital to get in touch with a healthcare professional before taking any new drug, specifically if the patient has conditions like diabetes, or liver and stomach-related. Here are some of the usual drugs that are commonly given to patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery:
Once the coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is done, symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, etc improve over time. It also assists in improving blood flow to the heart, but it is important to ensure healthy lifestyle changes to avert the risk of heart diseases or conditions in the future. The best surgery results are observed among people who follow healthy lifestyles like healthy eating, exercising, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, etc. If you want to make dietary and lifestyle changes, then you can consult the experts available at BM Birla Heart Research Center in Kolkata.
In summary, coronary artery bypass graft surgery is one of the most effective ways to treat artery disease, offering several advantages in terms of reduced cardiovascular risks, improved quality of life, and symptom relief. In order to make the best decisions and achieve the greatest results, patients and their families must have a thorough understanding of the surgery, its types, indications, and recovery process.
Yes, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is a form of open heart surgery and it comprises blood flow, rerouting across narrow and blocked coronary arteries to enhance blood supply throughout the heart muscles.
No, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and angioplasty. Both are different procedures. Angioplasty procedure is helpful in opening narrowed arteries through the use of balloon and stent, whereas CABG is helpful in bypassing blocked arteries.
Life expectancy after coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries depends on the person's health and other factors. However, it usually improves heart functionality, potentially extending life.
The cost of CABG surgery depends usually on certain factors such as hospital fees, surgeon expertise, location, pre-existing conditions and insurance coverage.
Traditional coronary artery, bypass grafting surgery, minimally invasive CABG, and off-pump CABG are three main types of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.
CABG surgery is helpful in blood flow, routing across block arteries, whereas a tent is inserted to prop open arteries that are narrowed enhancing blood flow without the need to reroute it.
