How is heart bypass surgery performed?

Before surgery, you’ll change into a hospital gown and receive medication, fluids,
and anesthesia through an IV. When the anesthesia begins working, you’ll fall
into a deep, painless sleep.

The first step

Your surgeon starts by making an incision in the middle of your chest.

Your rib cage is then spread apart to expose your heart. Your surgeon may also
opt for minimally invasive surgery, which involves smaller cuts and special
miniaturized instruments and robotic procedures.

Connecting to the cardiopulmonary bypass machine

You may be hooked up to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine that circulates

oxygenated blood through your body while your surgeon operates on your heart.

Some procedures are performed “off-pump,” meaning that connecting you to a

cardiopulmonary bypass machine isn’t necessary.

Grafting

Your surgeon then removes a healthy blood vessel from the leg to bypass the
blocked or damaged portion of your artery. One end of the graft is attached
above the blockage and the other end below.

The final steps

When your surgeon is done, the function of the bypass is checked. Once the
bypass is working, you’ll be stitched up, bandaged, and taken to the intensive
care unit (ICU) for monitoring.

Who will help perform the bypass surgery?

Throughout the surgery, several types of specialists ensure the procedure is
performed properly. A perfusion technologist works with the cardiopulmonary
bypass machine.

A cardiovascular surgeon performs the procedure and an anesthesiologist

ensures anesthesia is delivered to your body properly to keep you unconscious
during the procedure.

Imaging specialists may also be present to take X-rays or help ensure that the
team can view the site of the surgery and the tissues around it.