Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is a surgical treatment to restore the blood flow to the heart by attaching a healthy blood vessel around the clogged artery so that the blood is bypassed around the blocked artery. It is just one option to treat such kind of heart disease. 

Do you know that CABG cost in India is lesser than other western nations? It has been estimated that patients traveling from western countries such as the US or UK save around 70 to 80 percent by choosing India as their medical destination.

Patients can easily find the best heart surgery hospitals in India that provide affordable treatments and all the facilities for a comfortable stay of the patients.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Why is it done?

The best cardiac surgeons in India may consider CABG under the following medical conditions:

• Severe chest pain caused by narrowed arteries. Sometimes, angioplasty or stenting may help; however, for severe blockage, surgery is the best option.

• More than one artery is blocked and the left ventricle - the heart’s main pumping chamber, is not in working condition.

• Left main coronary artery is blocked as this artery supplies a maximum amount of blood to the left ventricle.

• If the patient had gone through the angioplasty or stenting before to cure the blocked artery and it failed to lead to a re-narrowing of the artery (stenosis).

• Other emergency medical situations are a heart attack or when other treatments fail.

What are the risks associated with CABG?

CABG is an open heart surgery that requires several incisions. Therefore, several complications may arise, such as 

• Bleeding around the wound

• Wound infection

• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

• Memory loss, which may improve after six to 12 months

• Kidney failure

• Stroke

• Heart attack, if a blood clot happens after the surgery

The severity of these complications may range from mild to severe depending on the health of the patient. It is crucial to have a word with the surgeon to discuss such complications. 

How is a CABG procedure done?

Coronary artery bypass surgery begins with general anesthesia and usually takes three to six hours. Depending on the severity of the condition and number of arteries blocked, the surgeon has to treat coronary heart disease. 

The cardiac surgeon makes a long incision through the chest bone and spreads open the rib cage to expose the heart. Afterward, the heart is temporarily stopped and the heart-lung machine is used to take over the functions of the heart and lungs during the surgery. 

Now, the surgeon extracts a healthy blood vessel from the chest, arm or leg and attaches it beyond the clogged artery so that the blood flow is bypassed through the clogged artery. 

Also, when you fall asleep with anesthesia, a breathing tube attached with a ventilator is inserted into the mouth that helps in breathing during and after the surgery. 

What are the other surgical techniques to treat coronary heart disease?

• Off-pump or beating-heart surgery: In this process, the surgery takes place while the heart is still beating. It uses special equipment to stabilize the heart and its surrounding area so that the surgeon can operate. As this surgery requires the heart to be in a working condition; therefore, it is not recommended for everyone. 

• Minimally Invasive Surgery: This procedure requires smaller incisions through the chest. The surgeon often takes the help of robotics or video imaging to operating such conditions. 

As CABG is a complicated surgery, the patient has to spend at least two days in the intensive care unit post-operative treatment. After the surgery, the heart, blood pressure levels, and other signs are continuously monitored. The breathing tube is still in the mouth down the throat for a few hours so that the patient doesn’t speak. 

If no complications persist for a week, the patient is discharged after a week or so. However, the patient has to refrain himself/herself from performing daily tasks. It takes up to six to 12 weeks to return to the usual routine. However, the patient has to discuss with the specialist once. 

What is the average cost incurred for heart bypass surgery in India?

Heart bypass surgery cost in India ranges from USD 4500 to USD 6000. The patient has to stay for eight days in the hospital and 12 days outside the hospital. The success rate of heart bypass surgery in India is close to 100% due to the advanced, cutting-edge technologies, well-qualified specialists along with the nursing staff.

Final Thoughts:

Coronary bypass surgery restores blood flow to the heart muscle and it doesn’t cure the actual cause of coronary artery disease. For long-lasting results, the patient has to follow a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking, control diabetes, blood pressure & cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight.