Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing of the coronary arteries caused by a buildup of fatty material within their walls and limiting the supply of blood to the heart muscle. One way to treat the CAD is to bypass the blocked portion of the coronary artery with a piece of a healthy blood vessel. One end of the graft is attached above the blockage and the other end is attached below the blockage. Traditionally, the CABG is performed with open surgery: the sternum is cut in half and spread apart, the heart is exposed, and the patient is put on a cardiopulmonary bypass machine to pump blood while the heart is stopped and kept still in order for the surgeon to perform the bypass operation. The procedure requires hospitalization and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. While the traditional “open heart” procedure is still performed and often preferred in many situations, newer, less-invasive techniques have been developed to bypass blocked coronary arteries in other cases.

For comprehensive care and surgical expertise as well as ground-breaking research, UAB is the region’s most advanced health-care facility for treating cardiovascular and thoracic disorders. Our high standard of care is available for any cardiovascular and cardiothoracic illness or condition. We are a national leader in cardiothoracic surgery with a long history of excellence and perform thousands of open-heart procedures each year.

UAB provides you with round-the-clock access to some of the world’s best, most-respected surgeons. UAB’s cardiothoracic surgeons include respected pioneers in their fields, as well as leading researchers and innovators in essentially all areas of cardiothoracic medicine. Here, some of the world’s most sought-after and experienced surgeons operate in state-of-the-art facilities, backed by nationally recognized nursing care.

Beyond the technology and experience is a staff committed to healing and fully recognizing each patient’s unique needs. We offer a one-to-one nurse-patient ratio for cardiac transplantation patients. For all other cardiac ICU patients, a one-to-one or one-to-two nurse-patient ratio is maintained as needed.

Videos

Resources

• UAB Cardiovascular Surgery Patient Guide 2022
• American Heart Association
• Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Related Specialties

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion
• Heart Attack
• Heart Palpitations
• Premature Atrial Contractions
• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Supraventricular Tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome