Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG) Cost in Munich, Germany

Bypass surgery is generally considered the better option in cases where the patient's arteries are blocked in multiple areas or where their left main coronary artery is narrowed.

Sometimes patients will prefer the less invasive angioplasty as they would like to resume work sooner.

Minimally invasive surgery also called keyhole surgery.

Possible risks of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) include:
Bleeding during or after the surgery.
Blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems.
Infection at the incision site.
Pneumonia.
Breathing problems.
Pancreatitis.
Kidney failure.
Abnormal heart rhythm

CABG in today's world has become a very routine procedure. Most doctors we work with operate about 20-25 such patients every month. The success rate of CABG surgery is easily more than 95%.

That is absolutely right. If your surgeon felt, he will not be able to achieve the desired results in minimally invasive surgery, he will not offer it in the first place.

A series of small incisions are made between your ribs on the left side of your chest, directly over the artery to be bypassed. The incisions usually are about 3 inches long.

Taking veins from the legs has traditionally been done but with advanced techniques, doctors do it endoscopically and hence NO more cuts other than chest incision.

Coronary artery disease is generally an old age problem and hence people of up to 70-75 years of age can safely undergo the procedure.

In most cases, minimally invasive surgery can be offered, but if your surgeon is insisting on open surgery, there have to be medical reasons for it.

You should clarify all such apprehensions during your clinical evaluation with the treating surgeon.

Not everyone can be a candidate for minimally invasive CABG surgery, the ideal candidate for this surgery are only those who have one to three vessels that needed to be bypasses and they are at high risks for undergoing traditional CABG surgery.

CABG works to improve the blood flow to the heart and this procedure is said to be invasive because heart bypass creates a new route called as bypass for blood and oxygen to reach your heart, it can be done without stopping the heart there will be no need for you to kept on a heart lung machine during the procedure.

You will be recommended to undergo heart bypass surgery if you have blockage in your one or two coronary artery mostly in the front of your heart. When one or more coronary artery become totally or partially blocked and your heart doesn’t get enough blood then it can cause chest pain.

Your doctor can only tell you whether this surgery is  good choice for you or not it depends on your health, the condition of your coronary artery disease, the number of bypass needed.  There are lots of other pros and cons of the surgery the doctor will make the right decision about which procedure is the best suitable for you.

There is no upper age limit for the surgery, the risk of the procedure are higher in those patients who are older than 65 years.

During CABG, a surgical team will take one or more blood vessels from another part of your body and create newer blood vessels to take blood into the heart.

It will generally takes three to five hours to do the surgery.

Before 2 weeks of the surgery stop taking the drugs which can increase bleeding during the surgery. Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery , you can rinse your mouth with water but do not swallow it. 

In heart bypass surgery the surgeon will make a 3 to 5 inch incision in the left part of your chest between your ribs to reach your heart. After that the muscles in the area will be pushed apart and the coastal cartilage will be removed, then the surgeon will then find and prepare an artery on your chest wall (internal mammary artery) to attach to your coronary artery that is blocked. At last the surgeon will use sutures for connecting the prepared chest artery to the blocked part of coronary artery.  A tube will be placed in your chest for draining fluid.

Recovering from a coronary artery bypass graft procedure takes time and everyone recovers at slightly different speeds.

Generally, you should be able to sit in a chair after 1 day, walk after 3 days, and walk up and downstairs after 5 or 6 days. Most people make a full recovery within 12 weeks of the operation.

The doctor will advise you to run investigations after 6 months, 1 year and share the reports electronically to review the progress and condition of the heart.

Generally, you should be able to sit in a chair after 1 day, walk after 3 days, and walk up and downstairs after 5 or 6 days. Most people make a full recovery within 12 weeks of the operation.

If you can walk normally at your usual pace, you can also climb two flights of stairs at your usual pace

Resume sexual activities in six-eight weeks

The surgeon must find a balance between preventing clots and having a patient bleed too much during surgery.

For some patients who routinely take a blood thinner prior to surgery, the dose of blood thinners that are typically taken each day is stopped at least 24 hours, and up to a week, prior to the surgery.

You will be given a discharge summary at the time of discharge from the hospital. This document has all relevant details for your local doctor to follow you up post-surgery.

But your local doctor can also get in touch with treating surgeons through us. Talk to your case manager and we will be happy to facilitate.

Smoking is absolutely prohibited post-surgery. Occasional and moderate drinking is generally allowed.

The tube will be removed within a day or two after the surgery.

Some of the risks of the surgery includes blood loss, blood clots, low grade fever, pain at the site of cut, infection of lungs, temporary or permanent brain injury, stroke or heart attack.

You will be discharged after 2-3 days of the surgery and you can start doing your normal activities after 2-3 weeks of the surgery.

It takes time to completely recover from the surgery, it may take 3 to 6 months to recover fully. You have to follow some precautions such as don’t smoke, eat a healthy and balanced diet, keep control on your blood sugar and high blood pressure.

You should not do any activity or any exercise which can cause pain across your chest, you should immediately stop doing any activity if you feel shortness of breath, dizziness or any pain in your chest, don’t involve in any activity which can cause pulling or pain in your chest.

Some precautions which you have to take after a CABG procedure are heavy physical activities, lying down in supine position, restrict salt consumption and chest physiotherapy.

Your doctor might order a number of tests before your CABG procedure. These may include blood tests, EKG, echocardiogram, chest x ray, cardiac catheterization, and angiography.