Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery reroutes, or "bypasses," blood around blocked arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart. The arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) can become clogged by plaque (a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances). This can slow or stop blood flow through the heart's blood vessels, leading to chest pain or a heart attack. Increasing blood flow to the heart muscle via a bypass surgery can relieve chest pain and reduce the risk of heart attack.

During a coronary bypass surgery a segment of a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is used to make a detour around the blocked part of the coronary artery. An artery may be detached from the chest wall and the open end attached to the coronary artery below the blocked area,  or a piece of a long vein in your leg may be taken. One end is sewn above the blocked artery area and the other end of the vein is attached or "grafted" to the coronary artery below the blocked area. Either way, blood can use this new path to flow freely to the heart muscle.

A patient may undergo one, two, three or more bypass grafts, depending on how many coronary arteries are blocked.

Cardiopulmonary bypass with a pump oxygenator (heart-lung machine) is used for most coronary bypass graft operations. This means that besides the surgeon, other surgical staff members include a cardiac anesthesiologist, surgical nurses, and a perfusionist (blood flow specialist).

During the past several years, more coronary artery bypass surgeons have started performing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). At Stamford Hospital almost 100% of coronary bypass surgical procedures are performed off-pump. This helps reduce intraoperative bleeding (and the need for blood transfusion), renal complications and postoperative neurological deficits (problems after surgery).

For more information on coronary artery bypass surgery or to make an appointment please call 1-203-276-4777.

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).