Coronary Bypass Surgery is a treatment option recommended to patients with a blockage in their artery. The aim of the surgery is to create a new passage which allows the blood to circulate without any hindrance. During the procedure, the doctors will remove a healthy segment of blood vessels from some other area of your body and use it to create a new path for the blood. Many people tend to believe that coronary bypass helps to remove arterial blockage, however, it is not so. The procedure has nothing to do with the underlying problem and primarily focuses on redirecting blood flow to the heart. The surgery will surely help to relieve various symptoms associated with blocked coronary arteries and also help to alleviate the complications associated with the same. As per the expert specialising in CABG surgery in Gurgaon, undergoing the procedure might also prove to be beneficial for the overall heart function of the patient.
Now, the question is, what is the purpose of Coronary Bypass Surgery?
By now, you must have understood that Coronary Bypass Surgery helps to restore normal blood flow, however, we still need to understand why exactly does the need for the surgery arise.
Arteries are blood vessels that are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to various different organs of the body. Sometimes, the arteries can get blocked, restricting the flow of blood to a particular part or organ of the body. This condition is commonly referred to as atherosclerosis and it is usually triggered by the development of plaque within the arteries. The coronary artery is one of the major arteries which is responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscles. A blockage in the coronary artery can result in a deficiency of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients which can cause the heart muscles to die. Coronary artery disease claims countless lives every year and has been closely linked with unhealthy lifestyle practices.
When will you be recommended to go for the Surgery?
Experiencing symptoms related to coronary artery disease does not necessarily mean that you need surgery and in some cases, the patient may only need medication and healthy lifestyle modification. Surgeries are only recommended to patients if
The patient tends to experience unbearable chest pain even at rest or while taking part in some mild physical activity
The patient has multiple blockages in the coronary artery and your left ventricle has become dysfunctional
There is a serious blockage in the patient's left main coronary artery
The patient is not responding to medication and lifestyle modifications, and their symptoms are continuing to become worse
The patient has undergone angioplasty and stent replacement but the procedure has failed to give any desired results
If you can relate to any of the above-mentioned factors, you should consult an expert from the best cardiac surgery hospital in Gurgaon to find out whether coronary bypass surgery is an option for you.
Understanding the procedure
Coronary Bypass Surgery is performed using the conventional approach which involves a large incision. The procedure can take anywhere between 3 to 6 hours depending upon the severity of the blockage, as well as the number of blockages. It is important to understand that multiple blockages can be cleared in one go, however, this may increase the overall surgical time. The procedure involved the use of general anaesthesia, under the influence of which you will not feel any pain or discomfort.
There might be the need of using a heart-lung bypass machine, which serves the purpose of your heart while it is being operated upon. Such type of coronary bypass surgery is commonly referred to as on-pump coronary bypass surgery.
Once the patient is under the influence of anaesthesia, a long incision is made on his/her chest, to access the affected artery. A small section of the blood vessel is removed from some other area of the body, mostly the limbs. This is carefully attached to the concerned artery with one and connected above the blocked section and one end below it. Hence, a new path is created. Blood flow is then restored slowly and once doctors are sure that the surgery is a success, the instruments are removed and the incision is closed carefully.
Doctors may also perform the surgery using other techniques like the off-pump or beating heart technique and minimally invasive surgery. The former also uses a traditional approach however no heart-lung bypass machine is used. The latter uses a minimally invasive approach and detailed imaging guidance to create a new path that bypasses the blocked section of the artery.
How long does it take to recover?
As per the top cardiac surgeons in Gurgaon, a patient can take nearly 12 weeks to recover completely. However, it is important to understand that the recovery period depends upon various different factors which include the surgical approach that was used, the age of the patient and the extent of the blockage. Following the guidelines recommended by your doctor will help to speed up the process of recovery. You should also go for regular checkups to make sure that there is no complication.
Dr. D.K. Jhamb, Director & Head of the Department
Interventional Cardiology
Book an Appointment
Find a Doctor 
Send a Query
Book an Appointment
Second Opinion