Fact Sheet
CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY
What is Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery?
§ Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a form of heart surgery that redirects blood around clogged arteries to increase blood flow and oxygen to the heart[1]
§ During CABG surgery the surgeon uses a portion of a healthy vessel (either an artery or vein) from the leg, chest, or arm to create a bypass around the clogged artery[2]
§ Patients typically receive 1 to 5 bypasses per operation depending on how many coronary arteries (and their main branches) are blocked2
§ During CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass a heart-lung machine artificially maintains blood circulation and oxygenation while the surgeon operates on the heart2
§ Many patients can go home three to six days after surgery; however it may take an additional four to six weeks for the patient to feel stronger and resume his/her normal activities[3]
When is CABG Surgery Necessary?
§ CABG surgery may be required in people with coronary artery disease (CAD)
o Blood vessels can become partially or completely blocked so the heart does not receive enough oxygen, leading to angina (chest pain) or myocardial infarction (heart attack)3
§ If left untreated, CAD may lead to a heart attack[4]
§ Some patients may need to undergo CABG surgery on an emergency basis during or immediately following a heart attack to limit damage to the heart[5]
§ CABG surgery is a therapeutic intervention after medication and lifestyle changes have not worked5
How Common is CABG Surgery?
§ An estimated 515,000 procedures were conducted in 306,000 patients in 2002[6]
§ Of the estimated 306,000 patients receiving CABG surgery in the United States in 2002:
o 219,000 (72 percent) were men
o 166,000 (54 percent) were aged 65 or older
o 125,000 (41 percent) were from the southern United States6
§ About 10 percent of patients with CAD will undergo CABG surgery2
How Successful is CABG Surgery? [7]
§ The long term results of CABG surgery are generally positive and may include:
o Relief of symptoms of angina (chest pain)
o Improvement in energy levels after recovery
o Improved expected life-span for specific subgroups of patients
§ A minority of patients will require repeat surgery, usually 10 or more years after the original operation
What are the Risks Associated with CABG Surgery?
§ Bypass surgery carries some risks, including a less than 5 percent chance of heart damage and a less than 2 percent chance of death4
o Although there are risks, the potential life-saving benefits of CABG surgery usually outweigh the risks4
§ Cognitive dysfunction (decline in ability to think, reason, remember, imagine or learn words) is reported in 53 percent of CABG surgery patients at discharge, 36 percent at six weeks, and 42 percent at five years[8]
§ Stroke or neurological injury occurs in 5 percent of patients undergoing CABG surgery[9]
§ Blood platelet transfusions during CABG surgery have been associated with a three-fold increased risk of stroke and 5-fold increased risk of death[10]
§ Strokes occurring after CABG surgery (more than 2 days following operation) represent almost 25 percent of all cardiac surgery-related strokes[11]
§ Additional complications associated with CABG surgery include:
o Bleeding
o Infection
o Difficulty breathing
o High blood pressure (hypertension)
o Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias), particularly atrial fibrillation4
§ Risks are higher for older patients, diabetics, patients with other major health problems and those undergoing a repeat bypass procedure4
Who Comprises the CABG Surgery Team?[12]
- A cardiac surgeon performs the CABG surgery
- An anesthesiologist works with the surgeon to keep the patient sedated (asleep) and pain-free throughout the surgery
- Other team members assisting the surgeon may include perfusionists, nurses, interns, residents, physician assistants, and other surgeons
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