38 Irrawaddy Road #08-51, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
38 Irrawaddy Road #08-51, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
A Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery is a major procedure to redirect blood flow around blocked coronary arteries and restore blood flow to the heart. It involves harvesting healthy blood vessels from the chest wall, leg, or arm, and grafting it to the heart to provide an alternate unblocked route for blood flow.
The procedure is done under general anaesthesia and your breathing and blood circulation will be controlled by machines. A long incision is made down the centre of your chest and your ribcage is spread open to reveal the heart. A section of healthy blood vessel is then grafted around the blocked coronary artery to bypass the narrowed section so that blood flow is restored to the heart.
Major risks of the procedure include heart attack, irregular heart beats, chest wound infections, kidney problems, stroke, memory loss, excess bleeding, and death.
Recovery from Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery typically takes several weeks and up to a few months. You might spend a day or two in intensive care after the procedure and a breathing tube will remain in your throat until you are awake and able to breathe on your own.
While this procedure doesn’t cure the root causes of blocked arteries, it can significantly improve symptoms. It also improves heart function and can reduce the risk of dying from cardiac events. Many people feel better after the surgery and can remain free of symptoms for years.
However, it is possible for other coronary arteries or even the new graft to get clogged over time requiring another bypass surgery later on. Long-term outcome is very much dependent on the patient’s adherence to their medication regimes and lifestyle changes.
The operation itself usually takes between 3-5 hours. However it may take longer if there are more blood vessels that need to be attached or if complications arise.
Remember that after bypass surgery, it is important to continue taking medications as prescribed by your cardiologist to control your risk factors that caused the problems to begin with.
If you look after yourself, most people respond well and can live in excess of 20 years and beyond before needing any further interventions. At that point, heart stenting may be the preferred option.
After the surgery, you will be given enough analgesia to be comfortable and with minimal pain. You may be sore and lethargic for a few weeks. The chest incision and the area where the blood vessels were harvested from will also take time to heal. Rest is important for the first few weeks and you should consult your doctor before returning to any physically taxing activities.