Overview

Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a new path for blood to flow around a blocked or partially blocked artery in the heart. The surgery involves taking a healthy blood vessel from the chest or leg area. The vessel is connected below the blocked heart artery. The new pathway improves blood flow to the heart muscle.

Other names for this surgery are:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting.
• CABG — pronounced “cabbage.”
• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
• Heart bypass surgery.

Coronary artery bypass surgery doesn’t cure the heart disease that caused a blockage, such as atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. But it can reduce symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. The surgery, commonly called CABG, may reduce the risk of heart disease-related death.