Heart blockages are a common term used to refer to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The condition occurs when plaque builds up in the heart’s blood vessels affecting the heart’s pumping capacity. Consequently, the heart is unable to pump adequate blood to various organs, causing damage to tissues.

Coronary Artery Disease can be treated with lifestyle modifications and medication if the disease is mild, that is, the heart blockage is less than 40%. Moderate heart blockage is typically in the 40-70% range. If the blockage is at least 70%, which is a severe medical condition, then a stent may be placed. When there is significant narrowing of the major coronary artery (on the left) or all three major coronary arteries, doctors may recommend Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).

Introduction to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

CABG is a surgical procedure aimed at improving blood flow & oxygen supply to the heart. CABG works by diverting blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries. During the bypass surgery, the surgeon may take blood vessels from the patient’s leg (saphenous vein), inside their chest (internal mammary artery), or their arm (radial artery). CABG is a major surgery that requires an incision through the patient’s chest through the breastbone while spreading the ribs to reach the heart and performing graft surgery.

It is performed by the dedicated & experienced medical team at Metro Hospitals, which consists of board-certified interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, imaging specialists, anesthesiologists, cardiac cath lab staff, and cardiac surgeons.

Pre-procedure Preparations

It is important to understand what happens before CABG to prepare for it. Here are a few things that should be done before the procedure:

1. Consultation: Your physician will sit with you and explain the risks, benefits, and pre and post-procedure requirements. Patients are requested to have a detailed consultation with their physician and get all their queries answered before the procedure.
2. Testing: Exhaustive testing will be performed before the procedure is prescribed to evaluate your eligibility for the procedure and help the doctors prepare for it.
3. Medication: You may be given certain medications a few weeks before the surgery and even asked to stop certain medications.
4. Diet: Doctors may prescribe dietary changes as well as tell you to fast for at least 8 hours before the surgery.
5. Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle changes are crucial for heart-related problems. Your doctors may recommend physical exercises or additional lifestyle changes to ensure that the procedure remains successful and you will be able to maintain good health afterwards. Quitting smoking is important if you have been recommended to undergo CABG. Patients who won’t quit smoking are likely to have complications after the surgery.
6. Family Spokesperson: Choose a spokesperson who is reliable to be able to make important decisions for you while you are under anaesthesia. You may want to hand some advanced directives to the spokesperson.
7. Plan things way before surgery, including how you will reach the hospital, who will be with you in the hospital, who will drive you after the surgery and who will be with you to support you during the recovery period.

Benefits of the Procedure

CABG has many benefits, including:

• Fewer heart-rhythm problems
• Improved life expectancy
• Lowered risk of developing memory issues and problems with cognition
• Reduced injury to the heart
• Reduced need for transfusion
• Reduced risk of heart failure
• Reduced risk of stroke
• Shorter hospital stay

Eligibility for CABG

Not everyone is a candidate for CABG. To discern which patients will be suitable for a CABG procedure, our expert heart doctors & physicians will perform a series of tests, including-

1. Blood tests
2. Blood work
3. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
4. Catheterization/Angiogram of the Heart
5. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
6. X-ray

Doctors will also assess you for any existing medical conditions, allergy towards anaesthesia, etc., to see if you are eligible for a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

Who is not eligible for CABG?

You may not be a candidate for CABG if you have the following:

• Allergy to anaesthesia
• Existing diseases that severely affect other organs like the lungs or kidneys
• Extreme old age
• Ongoing infections
• Physical disability or weakness, including an inability to care for yourself
• Pre-existing conditions, like an aneurysm, heart valve disease, or blood disease
• Terminal illnesses, including advanced cancer, AIDS, liver failure, or severe dementia

Heart blockages can be serious if they affect a major part of the heart. If you suffer from heart blockages, you may or may not need surgery. Many times healthy lifestyle modifications, along with medications, can treat heart blockages and help you live a normal life.

Our expert cardiologists will offer you the best possible advice and help guide you towards the right course of treatment after considering every aspect. At Metro Group of Hospitals, we are always available to answer your queries.