ABOUT CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is performed to treat coronary artery disease, by replacing clogged arteries with blood vessels taken from other areas of the body.
Coronary artery disease (CAD), occurs when there is a build-up of fat in the coronary artery, which prohibits the blood vessels from adequately circulating oxygen to the heart.
Patients suffering with coronary artery disease will experience chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormalities in the heart rhythm, palpitations, and fatigue. The early stages of the disease may not display symptoms, however, once the symptoms begin to show and the disease progresses, patients should undergo coronary bypass graft surgery in order to prevent a heart attack from occurring.
Surgeons may replace several of the heart’s arteries in one operation.
Recommended for
- Patients with blockages in the coronary artery
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1 – 2 weeks
- Average length of stay abroad: 4 – 6 weeks.
After CABG surgery, the doctor should ensure that the patient’s condition is stable before they travel home.
- Number of trips abroad needed: 1.
- Time off work: 6 – 12 weeks.
COMPARE CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| US | 68000€ |
| Singapore | 31775€ |
| Spain | 20400€ |
| Mexico | 12082€ |
| Turkey | 7159€ |
| India | 6802€ |
| Poland | 4915€ |
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY ABROAD
Before the surgery, the doctor will perform various tests to determine how many grafts are needed and which site is appropriate to harvest them from.
Patients with complex conditions may benefit from seeking a second opinion before beginning a treatment plan. A second opinion means that another doctor, usually an expert with a lot of experience, will review the patient’s medical history, symptoms, scans, test results, and other important information, in order to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. When asked, 45% of US residents who received a second opinion said that they had a different diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
An incision is made in the the graft site, usually the arm or leg, and the blood vessels are taken from the site.
An incision is then made down the middle of the chest and the breast bone is divided and opened. The patient is then put on a bypass machine, which involves inserting tubes into the heart, to allow the heart to be stopped and the machine to pump the blood.
The grafts are then attached above and below the coronary artery which is blocked, and sewn into place. Patients may require a single, double, triple or quadruple coronary artery bypass graft, meaning more than one graft may need to be attached.
Once the grafts have been stitched into place, the tubes are removed from the heart, the bypass machine is removed, and the heart is then restarted so that it can resume its function. The breastbone is then placed back together and secured by sewing it together with small wires and the skin on the chest is also sewn together with sutures. Drainage tubes may be inserted into the chest in order to help drain fluids and the area is then dressed with bandages.
Anesthesia
General anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery takes 3 to 6 hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY
Post procedure care
Patients will usually spend a short recovery period in an intensive care unit (ICU) before being moved to a normal treatment room for 1 to 2 weeks.
After discharge from hospital, patients should expect to take things very easy for the first few weeks. Patients will need to take 6 to 12 weeks off work during the recovery process.
Possible discomfort
Weakness, lethargy, discomfort, and soreness are all to be expected.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) SURGERY
Success rates
- This procedure has a 90% five year survival rate.
Not recommended for
- Older patients
- Patients with serious health issues
Potential risks
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pneumonia
- Blood clots
