There are many different types of heart surgery, aimed at reaching specific medical goals and helping patients. Any medical intervention concerning the heart is inherently dangerous, as people are extremely dependent on its function to survive. However, it sometimes becomes necessary for medical professionals to operate on it. One such procedure is the coronary bypass surgery, or CABG. Heart attacks occur when the blood vessels of the heart are unable to transfer the necessary blood around (“Coronary bypass surgery,” 2020). Cholesterol deposits in the arteries, or a smaller artery diameter can both lead to cases of artery blockage. In case of such an occurrence, it becomes necessary to redirect the blood flow from a blocked area, and provide a new pathway for the blood (“Coronary bypass surgery,” 2020). Open heart surgery is performed in order to achieve this effect, where another blood vessel is taken from an arm or a leg, and transplanted to the necessary area. While the process does not cure the initial cause of a heart attack, it can save a person’s life and alleviate heavier symptoms, such as pain or breathing problems. Compared other types of treatment for heart attacks, the coronary bypass surgery is only a temporary measure, requiring further intervention in the future. With the advancement of medicine and technology, it becomes possible to improve the quality of the surgery, along with the survival rate of the patients. With the development of medical tech, such as the currently present heart-lung machine, it will be possible to make the procedure much less damaging, dangerous and invasive for the patients(“Coronary bypass surgery: Past, present, and future,” 2021). The improvement in these areas can guarantee lesser rate of subsequent heart attacks, potential infections and other side effects.
References
Coronary bypass surgery. (2020). Mayo Clinic – Mayo Clinic. Web.
Coronary bypass surgery: Past, present, and future. (2021). Heart Surgery Information. Web.