Coronary Artery Surgery

The coronary arteries supply blood directly to the heart. Atherosclerosis is the disease that results in blockages of these arteries that produces chest pain, heart attacks, and heart failure. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease in the world.

There are many treatment options for CAD, ranging from cholesterol and blood pressure control, to stents and surgical bypasses. Stents are typically inserted through a puncture of a leg or arm artery. These procedures are performed by interventional cardiologists in a specialized Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) is performed by cardiac surgeons for more severe CAD. These operations can be performed with or without the assistance of the heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) depending on the specific nature of the CAD. Combined approaches, where the interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons collaborate to stent certain blockages and surgically bypass others, is sometimes an excellent option for patients and is performed in our highly specialized Hybrid Operating Room.

For more information on coronary artery disease (CAD), please contact 619-532-9140 to speak to a health care professional.