Treating Coronary Artery Disease: Open Heart Bypass Surgery in Arizona

Open heart bypass surgery is a treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as heart disease. CAD is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries — the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Heart bypass surgery — known medically as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery — creates a new route for blood to flow around the blocked part of the coronary artery to the heart.

In open heart surgery, your cardiac surgeon makes a large incision in your breastbone to access your heart. There are two versions of open heart bypass surgery. On-pump surgery uses a heart-lung machine to divert blood from the heart. The surgeon operates on a non-beating heart free of blood. This is the most common method. Off-pump surgery does not use a heart-lung machine. The heart is beating, which makes the surgery more difficult. 

Dignity Health of Arizona is a nationally recognized leader in heart and vascular care, offering leading-edge surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. To learn more about open heart bypass surgery in Arizona, Find a Doctor online or call (855) 231-6180.

Reasons for Open Heart Bypass Surgery

Doctors perform open heart bypass surgery to restore normal blood flow to the heart. This reduces the risk of a heart attack. Your doctor may recommend surgery if angioplasty and stenting isn’t the right choice for you. This may depend on the following: 

• Severity of your symptoms
• Location of blockages in your coronary arteries
• Number of blockages
• Severity of your blockages
• Success of previous angioplasty and stenting procedures

Heart bypass surgery is also an emergency treatment for a heart attack.

Risks & Complications of Open Heart Bypass Surgery

Open heart bypass surgery is a complex surgery that saves countless lives, but it also carries serious risks, including death. Other possible risks and complications of open heart bypass surgery include:

• Heart attack
• Heart rhythm problems
• Kidney or lung failure
• Memory problems
• Post-pericardiotomy syndrome — a low-grade fever and chest pain for up to six months
• Stroke

Open Heart Bypass Surgery at Dignity Health: Recovery & What to Expect

We know heart surgery can be very intimidating. That’s why our cardiac care team is dedicated working with you every step of the way. Open heart bypass surgery can take up to six hours. You’ll spend several days in the hospital. Most people return to work within six weeks. Ask your doctor before returning to exercise and other strenuous activities. Cardiac rehabilitation at Dignity Health will help you recover and return to your usual activities. Full recovery can take up to 12 weeks.

Concerned about your cardiovascular health? Try our free cardiovascular risk educational tool. This tool helps you assess your cardiovascular health and identify medical and lifestyle conditions that may lead to cardiovascular problems later. It also will educate you on the many ways Dignity Health can assist you in treatment and prevention with humankindness.