Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic
A B C D E F G H I K L M O P R S T U V
Heart, front view Posterior heart arteries Atherosclerosis Anterior heart arteries Heart bypass surgery - series
Overview Recovery Risks
Heart bypass surgery
Alternative Names: Bypass surgery - heart; CABG; Coronary artery bypass graft Expectations after surgery: Every year over one half million Americans have coronary bypass surgery to relieve symptoms and prolong their lives. In the majority of people who have the surgery, the grafts remain open and functioning for 10 to 15 years. Text Continues Below CABG will improve blood flow to the heart but NOT prevent the eventual recurrence of coronary blockage. Lifestyle changes are necessary -- such as not smoking, improved diet, regular exercise, and treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Convalescence: After the operation, the patient will spend 5-7 days in the hospital, with the first 2 hours in an intensive-care unit (ICU). In the ICU, heart function is monitored continuously. Patients may require the temporary assistance of a breathing tube for a few hours after surgery. Two to three tubes in the chest drain fluid from around the heart and are usually removed one to three days after surgery. A urinary catheter in the bladder drains urine until the patient is able to void on his own. Intravenous lines (IV) provide fluids and medications. Nurses watch the monitors and check vital signs (pulse, temperature, breathing) constantly. When constant monitoring is no longer needed, usually within 12-24 hours, the patient is moved to a regular or a transitional care unit. Activity is gradually resumed and the patient may begin a cardiac rehabilitation program within a few days. The incision in the chest does not bother most people after the first 48-72 hours. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>