Our Advanced Heart Bypass Surgery Care
Coronary bypass grafting is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). Without treatment, CAD can lead to many serious heart conditions, including heart attack or a weak heart muscle.
If you need CABG, our heart surgeons at St. Luke’s are here for you. Healthgrades® has named us one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™. Since 2019, our superior outcomes for CABG put our team among the top 5% of hospitals nationally. Our team earned the top three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for our patient care and outcomes in isolated CABG procedures. We’ll provide the care and support you need during and after your CABG surgery.
Why Do I need CABG?
You may need CABG if you have a blocked heart artery. If you or a loved one is having a heart attack, we may recommend CABG as a preferred treatment strategy. You may also need CABG if you have CAD that hasn’t responded well to other treatments, such as medication or stenting.
How Do I Prepare for My CABG Surgery?
If you’re having CABG as a scheduled surgery, your surgeon will give you instructions about what you’ll need to do to get ready for the procedure. This may include details on:
- Arranging a ride home after your hospital stay
- Changes to your diet
- Ensuring you’ll have help at home after the procedure
- How to bathe beforehand
- Stopping smoking if you smoke
- What medications to take or not take before the surgery
We will likely schedule you for several pre-operative tests to plan your procedure.
What to Expect During Your CABG Surgery
Your CABG surgery will take several hours. You will receive general anesthesia during the procedure and be taken to the intensive care unit afterwards to be closely monitored.
The coronary artery bypass grafting is completed by using healthy blood vessels from the chest wall, arms and legs to bypass the blocked vessels on your heart. Your surgeon determines how many vessels need to be bypassed. The procedure is completed by making incisions over your breastbone to access your heart. When the procedure is completed, the incision is closed, and you will have drains in place to drain fluid from around your heart.
Recovering From Your CABG Surgery
You’ll be in our intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or two after the surgery. This will let your care team keep a close watch over you and ensure you are recovering well. You’ll stay on the ventilator for a few hours, until you’re ready to breathe on your own.
Once you’re breathing on your own again, a nurse will help you cough and take deep breaths regularly. Breathing exercises will keep your lungs open and expanded and your oxygen levels high. Hugging a pillow while you cough can make it less painful after your surgery.
You’ll be able to drink liquids after your breathing tube is out. You’ll be able to have solid foods again when you’re able to tolerate them, which is usually the next day.
Once you’ve recovered enough, we’ll move you out of the ICU and to the progressive care unit, which is just downstairs in the Jack Taylor Heart Hospital. Your total hospital stay will depend on how quickly you recover. The average length of stay is four days.
Going Home After CABG Surgery
Your care team will discuss your home care plan with you before you are discharged. You’ll likely have new medications to take, and the dosage of your home medications could be different. Your care team will review your medications with you and ensure you always know the side effects of your new medications. You may receive a referral to cardiac rehabilitation to help you regain your strength after your procedure.
You’ll need someone to drive you home from the hospital. You’ll also need someone at home to help take care of you until you’re strong enough to handle household tasks.
Be sure to call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms after your CABG surgery:
- Weight gain
- Increased swelling in your legs
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding or other discharge from your incision site
- Fever
- New or worse pain
Call 911 or go to the hospital right away if you or your loved one has any of the following symptoms after CABG surgery:
- Chest pain
- Drooping face or weakness on one side of the body
- Passing out or fainting
- Slurred speech
- Trouble breathing