During the procedure
CABG is performed in hospital settings by a surgeon under general anesthesia. This procedure usually takes about 3 to 6 hours to complete.
You will have a breathing tube inserted into your mouth to help you breathe. Your surgeon will first make a large incision in the chest, then spreading open the ribcage to expose the heart. Your surgeon will then temporarily stop your heart and divert your blood flow through a heart-lung machine in order to continue circulating blood to the body. A healthy piece of blood vessel from other parts of your body will be attached above and below the blocked portion of the artery to divert the blood flow.
There are several newer variations of the CABG procedure, such as minimally invasive surgery (involving the use of robotics and video imaging) or beating-heart surgery where the heart is slowed down but still beating while the procedure is performed. However, these procedures are not for everyone.
After the procedure
If you were given general anesthesia before the surgery, you will be assigned to a hospital recovery room immediately after the surgery. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel sore, groggy, or nauseous. Nurses will be available to assist you. The breathing tube may remain in your throat for a few hours so you won't be able to speak until it is removed.
Since CABG is a major surgery, you will likely spend 1 to 2 days in the intensive care unit and have your vital signs closely monitored. You will have a tube in your chest to drain fluid from your heart, another tube in your bladder to drain urine, and some intravenous lines for fluids. You should be discharged from the hospital within one week, and in most cases you may resume activities like exercise, sex, and driving after 6 weeks.
It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for you to recover. Recovery from surgery includes many rehabilitation programs such as physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, and diet counseling.
Since CABG does not cure the underlying heart disease, it is important to follow the recommendations given by your health care providers to slow progress and prevent the need for another CABG surgery.