One of the most commonly performed operations in the western world, heart bypass surgery is used as a precaution against premature death from heart disease characterized by severe blockages of arteries or veins.

Where disease of the left main coronary artery or of all three coronary vessels occurs, bypass surgery becomes a priority in a bid to avoid oxygen levels reaching the heart muscle dropping to dangerous levels characterized by a high risk of cardiac arrest.

Procedure information
Heart bypass surgery involves the grafting of veins or arteries from other parts of the patient’s body to the area around the heart so that areas that are blocked or damaged because of disease are bypassed, allowing a greater oxygen flow.

One or more arteries can be bypassed during the operation, hence the term double or triple heart bypass surgery. The procedure is invasive although techniques have been developed in recent years that are less invasive with smaller incisions, typically up to 10cm long, as well as alternatives including angioplasty.

Serious instances of disease or blockage mean that invasive surgery is required along with the use of a heart-lung machine. Typically the sternum must be cracked open to allow access to the heart and must then be wired shut once the operation has been completed.

Recovery time
The patient will usually remain in the intensive care unit for at least a day following the procedure, but can expect to return home less than a week afterwards, typically 4 to 5 days following the heart bypass operation.

Numerous complications can occur which complicate the recovery period, such as infection, deep vein thrombosis and the narrowing of the graft. Acute pain at the incision point is also normal and is generally treated through pain killers which are typically used for a week or more after the procedure.