Coronary artery bypass uses a large blood vessel, usually taken from the patient’s leg, arm, or chest, as a graft on the blocked coronary artery. The graft allows blood to “bypass” the blocked area of the artery, and flow into the heart. If more than one artery is blocked, a bypass can be done on each one. You may have heard the terms “triple bypass” or “quadruple bypass.” In these situations, three or four arteries are bypassed during one procedure.

During the procedure, the provider makes an incision in the patient’s sternum and temporarily separates the breastbone in order to gain direct access to the heart. The patient is then connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which allows the blood flow to continue uninterrupted during surgery. While the heart-lung bypass machine functions, the heart is stopped. The surgeon then sews a graft into place, attaching it from the aorta to a point below the blockage. The heart is restarted and blood now travels through the grafted vessel, bypassing the blockage to deliver oxygen to the heart.

Although bypass surgery is effective in relieving the symptoms of coronary artery disease, it is not a cure. Lifestyle changes, such as improving diet and exercise and quitting smoking are usually required to maximize the effectiveness of bypass surgery.