This surgery is performed to relieve angina symptoms by improving the blood flow to the heart muscle. This can result in better quality of life, with angina reduced or entirely relieved.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is an operation that bypasses a narrowed or block part of a coronary artery using a graft. The graft is a section of vein or artery which is either taken from the leg (saphenous vein), the chest wall (the internal mammary artery) or the forearm (radial artery). It is quite normal to need two, three or four grafts (“double,” “triple,” or “quadruple” bypass surgery).
You are usually admitted to hospital the day before your surgery. You will meet with your surgeon and anaesthetist who will explain the operation to you and answer any questions you may have.
You will have some blood tests, and an ECG. Any hair around the operation site will be clipped or shaved, including your chest, legs and possibly arms. You may also be required to shower using antibacterial solutions.
You will wake up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU). You will be monitored closely by our Wakefield Hospital nursing staff.
It is normal to wake up with a breathing tube in your throat. Once you are awake enough, the tube will be removed and you will wear an oxygen mask or nasal prongs instead, to improve your breathing. Most people do not remember having a breathing tube.
The ICU/HDU machines that are monitoring your heart and condition can be noisy. You may also notice tubes in your neck, arms, chest and bladder. This is usual following surgery. It is normal to feel very sleepy and to sleep a lot for the first few days. You may not even remember your stay in ICU/HDU. This is normal.
You will be returned to the ward once you are able to be transferred.
Usually for five – seven days after your surgery.