WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING (CABG)?
Coronary artery bypass grafting or “CABG” (often pronounced “cabbage”) is the most commonly performed “open heart” operation in the United States. Cardiothoracic surgeons perform the procedure to bypass blockages or obstructions of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. The heart relies on these fuels as it works constantly to pump blood through the body. The heart never rests like the other muscles in the body, and it demands a constant supply of fuel day and night. The term ischemic heart disease refers to this condition, when the heart does not get these fuels. When the heart is sufficiently ischemic (when the shortage of fuel is critical enough), the muscle begins to die. This is a “heart attack” or myocardial infarction. WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN BLOCKAGES OCCUR IN THE BLOOD VESSELS LEADING TO THE HEART? When there are blockages of the arteries to the heart, an individual may experience chest pain or angina pe
