Indication for Surgery With Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty, and stenting are the typical forms of coronary artery surgery, allowing previously blocked blood flow to return to the heart. Physicians follow set indications to determine when these surgeries are necessary.

Function

• In a CABG, the surgeon removes a vein from another area and uses it to route blood around the clogged area of a coronary artery.
  Angioplasty opens a blocked artery.
  Stents are inserted to keep the artery from re-closing.

CABG

• CABG is indicated when disease affects the left main coronary artery, and also for those with disease of the three major coronary arteries and reduced function of the left ventricle of the heart. Severe angina (chest pain) may also be an indication.

Angioplasty

• Angioplasty is indicated when there is a blockage of one or more arteries, when medication fails to control angina and if angina continues after a previous heart attack.

Stents

• A coronary stent is contingent upon features of the blocked artery, including its size and the location of the blockage.

Considerations

• Some individuals meeting most criteria may not be well suited for any surgical procedure. They include people with severe narrowing of very small blood vessels. In such cases, there may be no treatment available except medication.