Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Coronary Artery Bypass Graft?
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a type of surgery used to treat coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease. It is a procedure that involves bypassing a blocked or narrowed artery in the heart with a healthy piece of blood vessel from elsewhere in the body. This helps to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. CABG has been used for decades and is one of the most common types of major surgeries performed in hospitals today.The procedure begins with an incision made through the chest wall, just below the sternum, so that surgeons can access the heart. The blocked or narrowed artery must then be identified and isolated so it can be removed or bypassed with a healthy piece of blood vessel (graft). The graft will reroute blood around any blockages in order to reach areas that are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood due to poor circulation.Once this part of the procedure is complete, it’s time for closure. The incision will be sewn up and you will typically spend several days in recovery before being released from hospital care. Depending on your overall health, recovery time may range anywhere from four weeks to three months following CABG surgery; however most people see good results after just six weeks. CABG has been proven safe and effective for treating coronary artery disease; however there are some risks associated with it such as infection at the incision site, bleeding during surgery, stroke or other complications related to anesthesia or open chest surgery. Additionally, long-term success rates depend on how well you follow your post-operative instructions regarding lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and exercising regularly amongst other things like taking medications prescribed by your doctor as directed. Overall CABG is an effective treatment option for individuals suffering from coronary artery disease when lifestyle changes alone do not provide sufficient relief; however it’s important that those considering this type of surgery weigh all their options carefully first before committing themselves too quickly on something they may later regret not having done sooner.