Bypass Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Patients who have more extensive heart disease (blockages in multiple arteries, or at critical sites in their arteries) may need bypass surgery. During bypass surgery, the surgeon removes a vein from the leg or an artery from either the chest wall or arm and uses it to bypass, or go around, the blocked coronary artery. Bypass surgery may involve splitting the breastbone and placing the patient on the heart-lung machine, some of these procedures require stopping the heart in order to perform the surgery.


The heart-lung machine continues to supply blood to the patient’s body during surgery. The operative risks of bypass surgery are low and the overall results are excellent. Most patients return home within 4 to 6 days after surgery and return to work in 2 to 6 weeks. The progression of heart disease can be delayed by making lifestyle changes. Talk to your physician about what you can do to keep your heart healthier.