Cardiac bypass: evidence and procedures

Bypassing the blood vessels of the heart is an operation whose purpose is to treat diseases of the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle with oxygen. As a result of the effects of atherosclerosis, they can become compacted and clogged. This type of surgical intervention is aimed at creating a so-called bypass path of blood flow, which will envelop the artery with stagnation. As a donor, veins of the patient, taken from other parts of the body, are used.

Cardiac bypass: evidence

This operation is assigned in the following cases:

• There is a cardiovascular failure, the occurrence of which is a consequence of coronary heart disease (hypoxia of the heart muscle and constriction of the coronary vessels);
• Atherosclerosis of vessels of various localizations;
• The presence of an aneurysm of the arteries - both as a treatment, and for prevention.

Cardiac bypass surgery: surgery

This surgical intervention has several methods:

1. Traditional surgical intervention. With this method of conducting the operation, the heart is stopped, and the patient is connected to a ventilator and artificial circulation, which replaces the lungs and the heart for a time while the surgeon performs shunting. Sometimes a special device that supports cardiac activity is used.
2. Invasive procedure of shunting. All manipulations of the surgeon are performed through small incisions on the surface of the chest. The necessary tools are inserted into the intercostal space. This intervention also requires cardiac arrest and patient connection to the ventilator and artificial circulation. This method is not suitable for everyone. It is contraindicated in people who have already undergone heart surgery.

The advantages of minimally invasive cardiac bypass are obvious:

• Minimal blood loss;
• The lowest risk of penetration into an open wound infection;
• Inconspicuous postoperative scars;
• Short term rehabilitation;
• Minimal traumatism.

After operation

Bypassing the heart vessels is a very serious surgical intervention, so after it is conducted, the patient is monitored around the clock by both medical staff and special telemetric equipment. Approximately two days later, the ventilator is switched off . A day later, the system that watches the vital organs of the patient is turned off. The total stay of the patient in the hospital is about 7-10 days. After discharge, the patient is still outpatient for another 10-12 days.

Cardiac bypass grafting: possible complications

Sometimes this operation can have some complications:

• Heavy bleeding;
• Penetration of infection into the wound;
• Occlusion of the vessel.

Cardiac bypass surgery: cost

The price of this operation in different cities of Russia ranges from 65,000 to 400,000 rubles. If we talk about the cost of shunting abroad, then this figure reaches 35 000-40 000 dollars.