Are you a candidate for this type of open-heart surgery?

Becoming diagnosed with a heart condition and learning you need surgery can feel lonesome. However, you are joining the two million people each year who receive a second chance at life when they receive open-heart surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

CABG is a type of open-heart surgery that is performed when you have obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), including multiple blockages in the heart’s arteries from cholesterol buildup. The procedure, which is also known as heart bypass surgery, is performed by cardiothoracic surgeons and involves creating a new path for blood flow around blockages. CABG has been around since the 1960s and remains a leading surgical treatment for heart disease because of its high success rate.

However, the bypass surgery is not necessarily the only treatment option when it comes to CAD intervention. Alternative treatments include medication management and coronary angiogram with percutaneous intervention (PCI), commonly known as a stent placement.

Are you a candidate for CABG?

“To determine if you are a candidate for CABG, your doctor will review revascularization strategies with a team of heart specialists, including interventional cardiologists and heart surgeons,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Freihage, an interventional cardiologist at Advocate Health Care. “They will use a scoring system known as syntax to assess the complexity of your CAD. Your current health status and medical history are also factored in to create the best individualized treatment plan.”

While candidacy is typically decided on a case-by-case basis, Dr. Freihage says the bypass procedure might be right for you if you have:

• Diabetes with multi vessel disease. A condition where multiple arteries are blocked by plaque buildup.
• Left main coronary artery disease. A condition where the main blood vessels of the heart are blocked by plaque buildup, affecting blood supply to the left side of the heart.
• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure. A condition where the left side of the heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

Your primary care provider can help provide more information on CABG and refer you to a specialist, if appropriate.

Want to learn more about your risk for heart disease? Take a free online quiz.