Heart Bypass Surgery

Heart Bypass Surgery(CABG) at Medica

Just like we use a ‘bypass’ to go around traffic, a heart bypass surgery is done to patients with severe heart blockages. This operation helps create a new route for blood and oxygen to bypass a blockage and reach your heart. Doctors will advise you to get a bypass surgery if you are experiencing these heart conditions.

What is Heart Bypass Surgery?

A heart bypass surgery is the other name for Coronary artery bypass graft operation (CABG). The heart surgeon performs the surgery for treating those diseases in which the heart fails to work correctly. In this type of health condition, the coronary artery narrows and it doesn’t allow the blood to reach the heart muscles, which transfers the oxygen and healthy supplements (like vitamins, minerals, fibers, etc.).

Our experienced surgeons perform a bypass surgery to rectify this blockage. The flow of the blood is redirected (bypassed) by them through this surgery. Medica Superspecialty Hospital, has a team of Kolkata’s best cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists who have treated numerous patients successfully.

The Division of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery is an established centre for Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG), Valve Replacement, Valve Repair, TAVR / TAVI, LVAD, Aortic Root, Aneurysm Surgeries and Heart Transplant. Medica Hospital is one of the few centres offering Minimal Invasive Bypass surgeries in the region at-par with the best in the world.

Minimally Invasive Heart Bypass Surgery

Procedure

Before the surgery, you require blood tests, chest X-rays, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). Your doctor also does an X-ray procedure called a coronary angiogram. The doctor uses a special dye to determine how the blood moves through your arteries. Your doctor will also advise if you need to make changes in diet or lifestyle before the surgery or any medicines you are taking.

During the surgery, our surgeons make a significant cut in the chest. A bypass machine is very essential in this procedure and it is used to pump blood during surgery. Coronary bypass surgery diverts blood from all sides or a section of a completely blocked or partly blocked artery in the heart. The doctor takes a blood vessel from the patient’s leg, hand, or part of a chest and joins it, bypassing the blocked arteries of the heart. The surgeon makes a new route for the blood flow to the heart muscle that improves oxygen and blood supply.

This majorly helps relieve serious problems, like chest pain and difficulty breathing, and uneasiness in the chest area. In addition, this surgery may boost heart function and decrease the chances of the dangerous situation of dying from heart disease.

What are the Risks Associated with Heart Bypass Surgery?

Common risks after coronary artery bypass graft surgery include:

• Bleeding during or after the surgery
• Blood clots can lead to heart attack, stroke, or lung issue
• Infection at the operated site
• Pneumonia
• Breathing difficulty
• Pancreatitis
• Acute kidney failure
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Failure of the surgery
• Death

For a bypass surgery, one needs to fulfil certain medical standards to undergo the conventional ‘open heart’ surgery. It is generally not advised to patients with prior health complications as it involves all the above mentioned risks.

How is the Recovery after Heart Bypass Surgery?

After surgery, recovery generally starts from 6-8 weeks and continues till three months. Before getting discharged from the hospital, take detailed information about exercise, medications, and follow-up appointments. The patient also needs to take good care of the wounds. The doctor may inform the patient about when to resume normal activities. Doctors also advise a heart rehabilitation program, a dedicated program that supports you in recovering fast. There are plenty of heart-protective diets strictly to continue, like vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, antioxidants, fish, and a low-fat diet. The patient should limit taking salt and alcohol. Avoid sugar and smoking and add fruits to the diet. The patient must take the medicines as directed.

Treatment at Medica

Each year, our team of renowned cardiologists and surgeons diagnose and treat over hundreds of adults and children. We are also giving our best to provide treatment for highly complicated cases.

Why do I Need Heart Bypass Surgery?

A heart bypass surgery treats signs of coronary artery disease. It occurs due to plaque, a waxy material, in the inner part of the arteries in the heart. It blocks blood and oxygen from reaching heart muscles. Your doctor may recommend heart bypass (diversion) surgery if:

• You have pain in the chest if a doctor thinks it is because one or more arteries that transform blood to your heart are blocked.
• It may be due to the blockage in the left main coronary artery, which gives most blood to your left ventricle.
• Re-narrowing of the arteries (after previous bypass surgery)