Procedure for CABG - On Pump

What is CABG - On Pump?

CABG - On Pump is the type of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery performed by the heart surgeons with the assistance of a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass), which means while the heart is resting and its functions are resumed by an external device.
The other type of surgery is off pump CABG that is done without the assistance of a bypass surgical pump.

What is Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery?

The widely used acronym CABG stands for a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery – an open heart procedure performed to treat building up of plaque in the blood vessels that restrict proper blood flow to the heart and rest of the organs.

How is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (On Pump) Performed?

On pump coronary artery bypass or Cardiopulmonary bypass is the technique where the heart functioning is temporality stopped and taken over by a heart-lung machine, also called a pump-oxygenator. The blood passed to the heart is diverted to this external machine and it maintains the blood circulation and oxygenates the body, thereby performing the functions of heart and lungs.

How Long Does It Take For CABG Recovery?

Recovery from a CABG surgery takes about 6-12 weeks depending on individual’s body conditions. However, people who do desk jobs feel strong to return to work just after 6 weeks. You may have to wait at least 3 months for complete recovery, whereas it might also take about 6 months. Medications, healthy diet, stress free life, engaging in safe physical exercises, etc. ensures your faster recovery.

CABG - On Pump – FAQs

Q. How long does your heart function require being on pump?

A: The surgery takes about 3-6 hours for successful completion. However, you will be in the safe hands of our best and experienced heart surgeons who have handled hundreds of CABG procedures and revived all of their lives successfully.

Q: How long does the CABG surgery stay effective?
A:    It totally depends on your post-surgery commitment to lead a healthy life. On average the surgery remain effective for about 5-10 years, or even longer.

Q: Will you need another bypass surgery?
A:    May or may not. Some people return to their surgeons after the graft’s effective period for another surgery, while others do not experience any complications. It should be noted that blockages can form in the other veins or even in the replaced grafts again.

Q: What are the benefits of CABG – on pump surgeries?
A:  As compared to the off pump surgeries performed while the heart is beating in ‘on pump’ surgeries; surgeons get to treat a motionless heart, which is lot more convenient to focus on the site.    
Other evident benefits include improvements in your quality of life, avoidance of symptoms and reduced complications, lowering of risks relating to a heart attack or a stroke and increased lifetime.

Q: What are the risks of CABG - on pump surgeries?
A: Possible blood clots in the veins, failure of the graft or graft rejection, lung infection, over bleeding are few of the uncommon complications with this surgery.   
It is a global fact that CABG-on pump surgery can be carried out successfully with the help of the most advanced technology in the world.