Coronary artery bypass grafting is an operation that creates new routes for blood to reach the heart muscle, bypassing blocked sections of the coronary arteries. The surgeon uses healthy vessels taken from the chest wall, arm or leg, and the chest artery grafts tend to last longest.

Patients seeking a cardiology hospital in Mumbai for bypass surgery at Apex are assessed by a cardiologist and heart surgeon together. CABG is often advised when several arteries are narrowed, when the main left coronary artery is affected, when the heart's pumping is reduced or when a patient has diabetes along with multiple blockages. The team explains the options, including surgery on a beating heart and minimally invasive approaches, according to the patient's condition.

The operation takes several hours under general anaesthesia. Patients spend the first day or two in intensive care, and most remain in hospital for about a week. The breastbone needs six to eight weeks to heal, so lifting and pushing are limited. Cardiac rehabilitation, with guided walking and exercise, supports recovery.

How the Procedure Can Help

Bypass surgery relieves angina, improves blood flow and, in selected patients, improves long-term survival compared with medicines alone.

Risks and Considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection of the wound, irregular heartbeat, kidney problems, stroke, temporary confusion or memory change, and failure of a graft over time. Fever, wound discharge, breathlessness or chest pain after discharge needs prompt review. Stopping smoking and controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol can protect the grafts.