Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
(CABG) Surgery

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a treatment doctors use to reroute blood around hardened or narrowed portions of the coronary artery. This improves the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

CABG is also called coronary artery bypass surgery.

During CABG, surgeons take a section of healthy blood vessel from your chest, arms or legs. Then, they sew (graft) this vessel to areas above and below the section of your artery that’s blocked or narrowed. Blood then flows through this newly attached vessel.

During CABG surgery, your heart must remain still so your surgeon can attach the new vessel. There are two ways to still the heart:

• Off-pump CABG: During off-pump CABG, surgeons slow the area of the heart closest to your blocked or narrow vessel. Off-pump CABG has fewer risks than on-pump CABG and may be a better option for older or sicker patients. Off-pump CABG can be used with open CABG surgery or minimally invasive CABG surgery.
• On-pump CABG: During on-pump CABG, you are connected to a machine that works like your heart and lungs. This allows doctors to stop your heart so that it remains still during surgery.

Emory Heart & Vascular experts have performed more off-pump CABG operations than any other hospital system in the U.S. More than 80% of CABG operations at Emory are performed off-pump.

Your surgeon will talk with you about your best CABG option.

Emory Heart & Vascular offers minimally invasive and traditional open CABG surgery.

• Minimally invasive CABG surgery: During minimally invasive CABG surgery, surgeons make small incisions and use special tools to access your coronary artery. At Emory Heart & Vascular, we offer a type of robotic-assisted, minimally invasive CABG surgery called endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass surgery (endo-ACAB).
• Open CABG surgery: During a traditional open CABG operation, surgeons make an incision down the center of your chest. Through your open chest, they place the graft on your coronary artery. During traditional CABG surgery, your heart must remain still. To keep your heart from moving, your surgeon stops your heart and connects you to a machine that works like your heart and lungs. Recovery after open CABG surgery can take several months.

During endo-ACAB, surgeons use robotic surgery technology and tube-like instruments (endoscopes) to see and access your coronary artery.

Endo-ACAB is a minimally invasive, off-pump surgery. Your heart is not stopped during endo-ACAB. Surgeons use small incisions between your ribs rather than opening your chest.

If you have endo-ACAB, you can expect a quick recovery. You may be able to leave the hospital within 48 hours and return to full activity within two to three weeks.

The Emory Heart & Vascular team also offers hybrid endo-ACAB alongside angioplasty and stenting.

During this “hybrid” approach, your surgeon performs the endo-ACAB procedure. Then, an interventional cardiologist places a stent (thin metal mesh tube) into your narrowed artery.

Currently, we are the only institution in Georgia offering this hybrid endo-ACAB/angioplasty procedure.