Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
Restoring blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked coronary arteries
Overview
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure that restores blood flow to the heart muscle by creating a detour around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It is one of the most commonly performed and well-established cardiac surgeries worldwide.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque builds up within the walls of the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. This can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and if left untreated, heart attack.
In CABG surgery, a healthy blood vessel (graft) is taken from another part of the body — typically the chest wall, leg, or arm — and connected to the coronary artery beyond the blockage, creating a new pathway for blood to reach the heart muscle.
Dr. Nisarga has extensive experience in performing CABG using multiple approaches including traditional on-pump, off-pump (beating heart), and minimally invasive techniques.
Key Facts
5–7 days
Typical Hospital Stay
90%+
LIMA Graft Patency at 10 Years
6–8 weeks
Sternal Precautions
99%
Off-Pump Rate in Suitable Patients
Conditions Treated
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) is used to treat the following conditions
Left Main Coronary Artery Disease
Significant blockage in the main artery supplying the left heart
Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease
Blockages in two or more coronary arteries
Complex Coronary Lesions
Difficult blockages not suitable for stent placement
Diabetes with Diffuse CAD
Patients with diabetes who often have more extensive disease
Failed Prior Stent
Recurrent blockage at the site of a previously placed stent
Symptoms
Patients with conditions requiring CABG may experience one or more of the following symptoms. It is important to note that some conditions may be asymptomatic in their early stages.
Important: These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosis
A thorough diagnostic evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning
Treatment Options
The choice of treatment depends on the specific condition, its severity, and individual patient factors
Lifestyle Modifications
Diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and risk factor management
Medical Management
Medications including antiplatelets, statins, beta-blockers, and nitrates
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Angioplasty and stent placement for suitable blockages
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
Surgical bypass of blockages using arterial or venous grafts
Surgical Approach
How the procedure is performed by Dr. Nisarga and his team
Dr. Nisarga evaluates each patient to determine the optimal surgical approach — on-pump, off-pump, or minimally invasive.
Healthy graft vessels are harvested — typically the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) from the chest and/or saphenous vein from the leg.
For on-pump CABG: The heart is temporarily stopped and a heart-lung machine maintains circulation while grafts are attached.
For off-pump CABG (beating heart): The heart continues beating while specialized stabilizers immobilize the area being grafted.
The LIMA graft is typically connected to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery — the most important coronary vessel.
Additional vein or arterial grafts are connected to other blocked coronary arteries to achieve complete revascularization.
The grafts are checked for adequate flow before completing the procedure.
Benefits
Why patients and physicians choose CABG
Recovery & Rehabilitation
What to expect during the recovery period after CABG
A Word from Dr. Nisarga
For select patients with less extensive coronary disease, robotic or minimally invasive CABG (MICS CABG) may be an option. This approach avoids full sternotomy, resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Dr. Nisarga carefully evaluates each patient to determine if they are candidates for these less invasive bypass techniques.
Related Services
Explore other procedures offered by Dr. Nisarga
Schedule a Consultation
Take the first step towards advanced cardiac care. Dr. Nisarga and his team are here to help.