Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

cardiovascular

Description

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is open-heart surgery that creates new routes around narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to restore blood flow to the heart muscle. Surgeons use healthy blood vessels from the chest wall (internal mammary artery), leg (saphenous vein), or arm (radial artery) as grafts. CABG is the gold standard for patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease, left main coronary disease, or diabetes with multi-vessel disease. Modern techniques include off-pump (beating heart) surgery and minimally invasive approaches that reduce recovery time. Studies show CABG provides superior long-term outcomes compared to stenting for complex coronary disease.

What to Expect

Surgery takes 3-6 hours under general anesthesia. Most procedures use a heart-lung bypass machine, though off-pump techniques are available. ICU stay is 1-2 days for monitoring. Total hospital stay is 5-7 days. A breathing tube is removed within 6-12 hours. Chest drains are removed within 2-3 days. Walking begins within 24-48 hours. Pain management focuses on sternal comfort.

Recovery Information

Weeks 1-2: Hospital recovery and early mobilization. Weeks 2-6: Home recovery with graduated walking program. Sternal precautions (no lifting over 10 lbs, no pushing/pulling) for 6-8 weeks. Weeks 6-12: Cardiac rehabilitation program with monitored exercise. Months 3-6: Gradual return to full activities. Most patients return to work in 6-12 weeks depending on physical demands. Lifelong medications including aspirin and statins are standard.