What is coronary artery bypass surgery?

Coronary artery bypass surgery or Heart bypass surgery is a process of replacing the blocked arteries that supplies blood to a human heart muscle. The operating surgeon on the patient uses blood vessels taken from another part of the human body to fix the blocked arteries. 213,700 coronary bypass surgeries were performed by the doctors in the United States in 2011.

When the coronary arteries get blocked or damaged, then this surgery is performed. The oxygenated blood is supplied to the heart muscle through these coronary arteries. Heart failure risks are there if the blood flow to the heart is blocked and heart muscle is not able to work properly.

Heart Bypass Surgery: Different Types

Depending on how many of the arteries are blocked the doctor will recommend a certain type of bypass surgery

Single bypass : Blockage of One Artery

Double bypass : Blockage of Two Arteries

Triple bypass : Blockage of Three Arteries

Quadruple bypass : Blockage of Four Arteries

Heart Bypass Surgery: When is it required?

The coronary arteries become narrow and slowly with time it blocked with the fatty substance Called Plaque, known as atherosclerosis. The blockage will affect the flow of blood. The Doctor will refer to the Heart Bypass surgery if there is a multiple blockage, feeling of chest pain, not getting cured by medicine, Unstable angina, had a previous heart attack. The by-pass surgery aims to bypass the blocked arteries to supply more blood to your heart, It does not remove this blockages instead it provide an alternative pathway known as a by-pass surgery so that the blood can be supplied to the heart. The surgery takes 3-4 Hr. to complete

How Does It Work?

A surgeon removes the blood vessel from another part of the body like chest, leg or arm. Attaching the one end to the aorta, a large artery that comes out of the heart, then attach the other end to an artery below the blockage. The grafting done creates a new route for blood to pass, the surgeon may do one or more bypass procedure depending on the blockage during the same surgery.

What are the risks Heart bypass surgery?

As with any of the surgery there are some of the risk associated, like wise in Heart bypass surgery, some of the risk may include. Bleeding, infection, Abnormal heart rhythm due to the different in blood circulation. Lung and kidney problem, mostly temporary. These are some risk which will explained by the doctors before you agree to the surgery, it’s important to discuss your concern with the doctor team.

What happens after Heart bypass surgery?

Once the Surgery is completed the patient is kept in ICU (Intensive Care Unit), where the patient is connected to machine assistance to support and observe the heart functioning like blood pressure, breathing and body temperature. And slowly the patient can do a little activity or movement as the recovery takes time. Next the patient is shifted to cardiac ward where nurses and doctors will help with providing information about the health, Wound care, Bowel function, when the stiches can be removed, fell discomfort around your upper body, Fever, Muffled hearing or thumping sensations in your chest, head or ears, feeling of extra heartbeats, Poor memory or concentration, sleeping problem or dreams, Change in taste or appetite issue. The patient is encouraged to do some physical activity like mobility and breathing exercise.

When the patient is ready to leave the hospital, it is important to plan the transport and it will be great if all the close one go to receive the patient which give an immense good vibes and make the patient happy, Share the feeling of the patient about the changes and discomforts which helps them to relax mentally. The daily medication and exercise should be followed. Doing this things will help the patient to recover in the best possible way and lead a healthy life.