Cardiothoracic Surgery

Most coronary bypass surgeries are done through a long incision in the chest while a heart-lung machine keeps blood and oxygen flowing through your body. This is called “on-pump coronary bypass surgery.” The cardiothoracic surgeon cuts down the centre of the chest along the breastbone and opens the rib cage to expose the heart.

Heart bypass surgeries are serious procedures, but they are relatively safe. At SJMC, our Cardiothoracic Surgeons perform numerous heart bypass operations each year and many of those who have the surgery get relief from their symptoms without needing long-term medication. It is generally accepted, however, that the more severe the heart disease, the higher the risk of complications.

When Is Coronary Artery Bypass Procedure Needed?

Coronary bypass surgery is one treatment option if you have a blocked artery in your heart. Our heart specialist and you may consider it when you have severe chest pain caused by the narrowing of several arteries that supply your heart muscle, leaving the muscle short of blood, even during light exercise or at rest.

If your arteries are narrowed or blocked in several areas, or if you have a blockage in one of the larger main arteries, coronary bypass surgery may be necessary.

Who Are at Risk for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery?

You may be at higher risk if you are over 70 years old, female, have already had heart surgery, have other serious conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, kidney disease, or lung disease, BMI ≥ 40 or more than 100 pounds overweight, BMI ≥ 35 with at least one or more obesity-related co-morbidities such as type II diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea, and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, or gastrointestinal disorders. It is best for you to undergo regular health screening for early detection.

Of those patients with coronary artery disease, about 10% will undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Surgery can be performed in patients 85 years and older with good results, but there is an associated prolonged hospital stay for elderly patients.

You may need CABG surgery to treat coronary artery disease symptoms, such as:

• chest pain
• palpitations or arrhythmias
• fatigue
• foot or hand swelling
• shortness of breath
• indigestion

By restoring blood flow to the heart, CABG can relieve symptoms and potentially prevent a heart attack. Coronary bypass operations are performed many times a year with a high degree of success rate.

Who Performs CABG Heart Surgery?

Our cardiac surgeons, also known as cardiothoracic surgeons, are experts in performing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery along with other complex cardiac procedures. Our cardiothoracic surgeon specialises in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, oesophagus, and other organs in the chest. This includes surgeons who can be called cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons, and congenital heart surgeons.

At SJMC, our cardiothoracic surgeons are highly experienced in performing surgery on the heart and the major blood vessels around it. They may also choose to specialise in certain types of heart procedures, such as procedures done on children. Their responsibilities include determining diagnoses, treating diseases, and performing surgical procedures. Our highly acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon is passionate about the field of cardiothoracic surgery with excellent research skills and real-life surgical expertise to provide you with the medical care you need.

Book an appointment with our list of cardiothoracic surgeons below.