Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as CAB or CABG surgery, is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. It is the most effective treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. The operation restores blood flow to the muscle of the heart, relieving chest pain and preventing heart attack.
During the operation, blood is routed from the aorta past the blockages, forming a bypass to a clean portion of each blocked artery. In order to form the bypass grafts, arteries from the chest wall (internal mammary arteries), arteries from the forearms (radial arteries), and veins from the legs (saphenous veins) are removed. These arteries and veins are then transplanted onto the surface of the heart with microscopic stitches.
Coronary artery bypass surgery is very effective and safe. Most patients spend 1-2 days in the intensive care unit and then are transferred to the general recovery unit, with an average hospital stay is 5-7 days. The operation is highly durable, with most patients experiencing many years free from chest pain and able to resume a normal lifestyle.