(Also known as Limited Access Coronary Artery Surgery and includes Port-Access Coronary Artery Bypass (PACAB or PortCAB) and Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (MIDCAB)
What the Procedure Does
An alternative to standard bypass surgery (CABG). Small incisions (“ports”) are made in the chest. Chest arteries or veins from your leg are attached to the heart to “bypass” the clogged coronary artery or arteries. The instruments are passed through the ports to perform the bypasses. The surgeon views these operations on video monitors rather than directly. In PACAB, the heart is stopped and blood is pumped through an oxygenator or “heart-lung” machine. MIDCAB is used to avoid the heart-lung machine. It’s done while the heart is still beating. Requires several days in the hospital.
Reason for the Procedure
- Manages blockage of blood flow to the heart and improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
- Relieves chest pain (angina).
- Reduces risk of heart attack.
- Improves ability for physical activity.
“https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/cardiac-procedures-and-surgeries#”