Coronary
artery bypass surgery, also Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery
is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the
risk of death from coronary artery disease.
Coronary
bypass surgery is a procedure that restores blood flow to your heart
muscle by diverting the flow of blood around a section of a blocked
artery in your heart. Coronary bypass surgery uses a healthy blood
vessel taken from your leg, arm, chest or abdomen and connects it to
the other arteries in your heart so that blood is bypassed around the
diseased or blocked area. After a coronary bypass surgery, blood flow
to your heart is improved. Coronary bypass surgery is just one option
to treat heart disease.
Minimally
Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB) is a minimally
invasive approach to conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
surgery. MIDCAB is beating heart surgery, which means that stopping
the heart (cardioplegia) is not necessary and a heart-lung machine is
not required.
Minimally
invasive direct CAB (MIDCAB) surgery is typically performed when
the arteries (left anterior descending (LAD)) at the front of the
heart are blocked. The surgeon makes a keyhole opening to access the
heart by making a small incision on the left side of the chest and
opening a small area between the ribs. While the heart is still
beating, the surgeon delicately grafts the bypass. The surgeon uses a
stabilization device to still the small area of the beating heart
where the bypass is being grafted.
The
stabilization device utilizes small suction pods that gently attach
to the surface of the heart. The pods work by lifting, not pushing
down on the tissue, to stabilize the area where the bypass will be
grafted. The device is flexible so that it can be positioned on the
heart vessels, yet sturdy so it can steady a portion of the beating
heart while minimally affecting heart function.
Coronary
Angiography and Cardiac Catheterization
To
look at the inside of of the coronary arteries a dye is used and
special x-rays, known as a coronary Angiography.
To
use the dye the doctor will use a method called Cardiac
Catheterization.
Benefits
of MIDCAB Surgery
Minimally
invasive direct CAB (MIDCAB) surgery offer the same benefits as
open-heart coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with
shorter hospitalization, less blood loss, and a faster recovery.
The
MIDCAB procedure is only suitable for those at low risk of
complications, and those with blocked arteries towards the front of
the heart which can be reached by a small opening from the ribs. Each
patient's diagnosis and treatment is unique and your physician will
recommend the best approach for you.
Coronary Angiography and Catherization
To
look at the inside of the coronary arteries a dye is used and special
x-rays , known as a coronary Angiography.
To
use the dye the doctor will use a method called cardiac
Catherization.
Cardiac
Rehabilitation
Following
the surgery, cardiac rehabilitation is provided in stages to help
reduce risk for future heart problems and to make the recovery
process quick.
To know more about the surgery,
