The nutrient vessels of the heart encircles the heart in a crown-like fashion, thus they are called the “coronary” arteries referring to the Latin word “corona”. This blood flow in these vessels is blocked in case of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Beyond a specific degree of vessel obstruction, there is the risk of myocardial infarction and death. CABG operation is a well known procedure to decrease the odds of death and any major cardiac adverse events and to prolong life. 

Like most of the cardiac operations, CABG is performed via an incision done in the midline of the sternum (breastbone). CABG is an open heart operation in which blocked coronary arteries are bypassed by autologous vessel grafts from the thorax (LIMA), arm (radial artery) and leg (saphenous vein). The surgery is performed with general anesthesia.

The operation generally lasts three to five hours depending on the number of arteries being bypassed. After the administration of general anesthesia, the vessel grafts are prepared. In order to institute a flawless bypass of the blocked coronary arteries, we perform the operations after the heart is stopped beating. As the heart is stopped, the blood circulation is provided by the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine which also helps to oxygenate the blood. The blocked coronary artery is bypassed with a hole created beyond the blockage in the coronary artery. One end of the radial artery or saphenous vein graft is sewn to this opening while the other end is sewn on a little opening created on the ascending aorta. When a LIMA graft is used, one end is connected to the coronary artery while the other remains attached to the aorta.

At the completion of the operation, the CPB machine is turned off; the heart starts beating on its own. As a precaution, chest tubes for drainage and pacing wires for any probable rhythm disturbances are placed before the sternum is closed. We use special steel sternal wires to close the chest. The patient is transferred to the special intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring for two or three days. After the ICU stay, the patient is admitted to the surgical ward where he or she will be staying for five to six days. The first control examination will be one week after the discharge from the hospital. Our patients will have a safe journey to their home countries when our stuff is sure of their health status after this control examination. The full recovery after a complication-free CABG lasts about two months.

CABG does not cure atherosclerosis but provides blood flow in the obstructed coronary arteries. In order to prevent recurrences some life style changes are essential:

• Stay away from any tobacco product
• Target low cholesterol levels
• Strict control of blood pressure and blood sugar levels (especially in diabetics)
• Exercise
• Avoid excessive weight gains and target your ideal weight
• Mediterranean type diet is advised
• Avoid stress
• Taking the prescribed medications by our doctors
• Follow-up with your regular visits to your