coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Coronary artery disease remains the number-one cause of death in the U.S. Coronary artery disease is caused by a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries that feed the heart muscle. This leads to a reduction or complete obstruction of blood flow to an area of the heart muscle, depriving it of blood nutrients and oxygen. Typically patients develop chest pain or angina as an initial warning sign. Many patients present initially with a heart attack, due to an area of muscle that has been deprived of blood and oxygen for a prolonged time.
Once the diagnosis of coronary artery blockages has been made, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is frequently the best treatment. During this operation, arteries or veins from the chest, arm and/or leg are used to "bypass" the blocked vessels in the heart. Traditionally, this operation is performed via an incision through the breast bone with the heart stopped using the heart-lung machine.
Our surgeons have extensive experience with both traditional coronary bypass surgery and newer, less-invasive techniques such as:
- Off Pump (Beating Heart) Surgery
- Robotic Heart Surgery