Heart disease is the #1 killer in the U.S. today. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty deposits, cholesterol and calcium plaques that can narrow or completely block the opening of the coronary arteries that feed the heart muscle with oxygenated blood. Sometimes a heart attack may occur in which the blood flow through the coronary artery is completely blocked off. Other times a person may have angina which is a decrease in the amount of oxygenated blood to the heart producing symptoms of chest pain or shortness of breath.
Treatments for coronary artery disease include medical therapy, catheter interventions, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Here at the Virtua Surgical Group we have surgeons specially trained to perform many different heart operations including coronary artery bypass.
Coronary artery bypass restores oxygenated blood to the heart muscle by re-routing the blood flow around the narrowed or blocked artery. This is accomplished by using veins from the legs, arteries from the arms, and internal mammary arteries from within the chest. Coronary artery bypass surgery requires use of the heart/lung machine or cardiopulmonary bypass, which allows the heart to rest while the surgeon works on the heart. This machine takes over the work of the heart and lungs for a period of time during surgery. In select cases, surgery can be done “off pump” or “beating heart surgery”.
Coronary artery bypass surgery takes anywhere from three to six hours. The average length of stay in the hospital is five to seven days and recuperation at home is usually six weeks. Driving is prohibited for four weeks but patients may ride in a car. Lifting is restricted to five pounds for six weeks to allow for the breastbone to heal. Following full recovery, patients should be able to resume a normal lifestyle.
The Virtua Surgical Group has several experienced and talented heart surgeons that perform coronary artery bypass surgery at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey.