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Surgical Procedures
The coronary arteries carry blood to the heart; the heart then pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When a blockage in the coronary arteries prevents blood from reaching the heart, part of the heart muscle is damaged, causing a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Surgical heart procedures restore the flow of blood to the heart (revascularization). The descriptions below will help you better understand the different types of heart surgery.
Balloon Angioplasty - Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
Depending on how much the artery is blocked, cardiologists may use balloon angioplasty to clear the blockage. Angioplasty is performed in the catheterization lab using fiber optic scopes to guide the surgeon to the blocked site. A small surgical balloon is inflated at the site, enlarging the blocked area of the artery. To keep the artery open, the surgeon implants a hollow, metal mesh stent in the artery.
Bypass Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Patients who have more extensive heart disease (blockages in multiple arteries) will need bypass surgery. During bypass
surgery, the surgeon removes a vein from |
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