CABG can replace up to five blood vessels during one procedure.
A triple bypass involves replacing three blood vessels.
Bypass surgeries are used to treatcoronary artery disease (CAD).
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Triple bypass surgery and other CABG procedures are typically successful.
However,recovery after surgeryis a slow process and can take about six weeks or more.
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What Is Triple Bypass Surgery?
An inpatient procedure performed by cardiovascular surgeons, a bypass can be an emergency surgery or semi-urgent scheduled surgery.
A triple bypass is needed whenatherosclerosiscauses plaque buildup and narrowing of three coronary arteries.
If only one artery is involved, it is called a single bypass.
A double bypass involves two arteries, a quadruple bypass involves four, and a quintuple involves five.
The chest is opened so the vessels can be placed into the appropriate areas of the heart.
At the end of the procedure, the chest is closed using sutures and metal wires.
The surgery can be performed “on-pump” or “off-pump.”
The machine allows healthcare providers to stop the heart during the procedure.
If a pump is used, the heart is restarted after surgery using controlled electrical shocks.
The second technique used is off-pump surgery, also called beating heart surgery.
It is done while the heart is still beating but does not use the heart-lung machine.
A hybrid approach includes minimally invasive bypass surgery with catheter-based coronary intervention.
There are criteria for this procedure.
These include:
It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your healthcare provider.
How to Prepare
Preparing for surgery is never easy.
It can be a scary and uncertain time for the patient and their families.
It is helpful to have someone at the hospital for support during some of this time.
You may be asked to provide a urine specimen.
Intravenous (IV) access is started in the pre-operative area.
This will be used for anesthesia, antibiotics, and blood products.
How Long Does It Take to Perform Triple Bypass Surgery?
Coronary bypass surgery typically takes three to six hours.
Surgery
You will be taken to the operating room and your general anesthesia will be started.
The tube is connected to a ventilator that helps control your breathing.
They also are responsible for providing medication throughout the procedure.
Recovery
Your recovery will begin at the hospital.
Most people are able to go home about three to five days after leaving the intensive care unit.
After being discharged from the hospital, recovery from triple bypass surgery typically takes about six weeks.
Although, it can range from four to 12 weeks since each person progresses at a different rate.
Long-Term Care
Triple bypass surgery fixes the current problem.
However, it does not prevent future plaque build-up or heart attacks.
After surgery, it is important to make significant lifestyle changes so you can prevent future complications.
This varies based on many factors, such as age and overall health.
Most people are able to resume all of their regular physical activities after about three months.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: Interventional procedures guidance [IPG377].
iData Research.Cardiac surgery market analysis, size, trends | United States | 2020-2026 | COVID19 | MedSuite.
University of Maryland Medical Center.Hybrid coronary intervention.
Mayo Clinic.Coronary artery bypass surgery.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.What to expect immediately after bypass surgery.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.What to expect after heart surgery.
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