Are there different types of coronary bypass operations?
A conventional coronary artery bypass grafting operation is typically performed through an incision, called a median sternotomy, in the middle of the chest. Some surgeons may prefer to perform a smaller mini-sternotomy. The patient’s heart is stopped, or “arrested” and she or he is placed on circulatory support. The circulatory support system (called cardiopulmonary bypass, or the heart lung machine) works in place of the patient’s heart and lungs, providing blood flow to the whole body. As blood enters the cardiopulmonary bypass system, it exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen (just as the lungs would), with the tubing functioning as the patient’s veins and arteries. The blood is also filtered, and it is cooled or heated to keep the patient at a proper temperature. Two major advances in open heart surgery include “off pump coronary bypass” and “minimally invasive coronary artery bypass.” Recent clinical studies suggest that there may be benefits to beating heart surgery, such as less bl
