Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): When Is It Necessary?

CABG (bypass surgery) improves heart blood flow when coronary arteries are narrowed/blocked by plaque. Typically considered when:

• Medications or angioplasty have failed or aren't appropriate
• Multiple blocked arteries or complex blockages exist

Procedure

Surgeon grafts a healthy vessel (usually leg saphenous vein or internal mammary artery) to the coronary artery beyond the blockage, creating a new blood flow path.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: bleeding, infection, anesthesia complications. Benefits: generally effective at improving blood flow, reducing angina, shortness of breath, fatigue.

Decision Factors

Severity of disease, overall health, complication risk. Decided collaboratively with your doctor.