Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Treats Blocked Arteries

Coronary arteries are important blood vessels that feed the heart muscle with oxygenated blood. A fatty buildup or plaque — also known as atherosclerosis — can form in the coronary arteries resulting in narrowing or a complete blockage. If the narrowing or blockage becomes severe, blood flow to the heart muscle is restricted and negatively interferes with heart function. Coronary bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting or CABG, treats a blocked or partially blocked artery. It redirects blood flow around the blocked artery and restores oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart. This is done by taking a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body — such as your leg, arm or chest — and utilizing it as a bypass graft. This artery graft is sewn below the blockage and connected to an opening made in the aorta, thereby rerouting blood flow.

Two types of surgeries can be performed. Your cardiac surgeon will determine the best treatment option for you:

• Traditional coronary bypass surgery involves making an incision through the breastbone or sternum. Most patients are in the hospital for approximately one week.
• Minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery is performed through a smaller incision in the left chest area. It often results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and less post-operative pain.

How coronary artery bypass surgery works

Coronary artery bypass surgery helps to:

• Restore blood flow to the heart
• Provide immediate relief of symptoms — chest pain or angina and shortness of breath
• Potentially reduce the possibility of a heart attack
• Potentially increase the duration of life

It is important to understand that this surgery does not treat underlying reasons for the blockage, such as coronary artery disease — or atherosclerosis. You will need to discuss appropriate lifestyle modifications or other treatments, such as cholesterol-reducing medications, to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis with your primary care provider or your cardiologist.

Who should have coronary artery bypass

People with severe chest pain caused by blocked or narrowed arteries are typical candidates for coronary artery bypass when they don’t respond to medication or are not candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention — also known as PCI. PCI is a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure utilizing a balloon or stent to open a narrowed or blocked artery. The Wellstar cardiovascular team may decide that a hybrid treatment option is best for you. In this scenario, a cardiologist may perform a PCI on one or more arteries, and a cardiac surgeon may perform bypass surgery on other routes.

Cardiac rehabilitation after coronary bypass surgery

To assist in regaining your strength after surgery, your cardiac surgeon will recommend Cardiac Rehab at one of Wellstar’s many outpatient locations. The Cardiac Rehab team will work with you to develop an exercise regimen, monitor you during your exercise sessions and provide support and education to help you live a healthier life.


Learn about the highly skilled surgical care you'll receive through Wellstar's cardiovascular surgery program.