What is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure that improves blood flow to your heart. 

During CABG, heart surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body and sew (graft) it to your coronary artery above and below the blocked area. 

This procedure allows blood to flow around the blocked section and directly to your heart muscle.

• severe narrowing of the main artery to your heart
• a blockage in the left main heart artery
• severe chest pain
• more than one diseased artery
• a blocked artery that can't be treated with a less invasive treatment

What to expect

Before the treatment:

• We may recommend that you make lifestyle changes to your activities, diet and medications.
• Quit smoking as soon as possible.
• Complete a physical exam, blood tests and other diagnostic tests.
• Fast for eight hours before the surgery.
• Shower with special cleansers the night before your procedure.

During the treatment:

• The surgery takes three to six hours.
• Your care team will closely watch you in intensive care for one to two days, and you’ll stay in the hospital for several days.

After the treatment:

• Your incision site will be tender or sore for several days.
• You'll be referred to cardiac rehab after you return home.
• Full recovery usually takes six to 12 weeks.
• Most people can drive and return to work after four to six weeks.
• Continue to follow up with your heart doctor regularly.

• improving blood flow to the heart: The new blood vessel allows more oxygen-rich blood to flow to your heart muscle. CABG can help relieve chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue.
• reducing heart attack risk: By improving blood flow to the heart, CABG can help prevent future heart attacks.
• increasing life expectancy: CABG helps people with severe heart disease live longer, healthier lives.