Question about Cardiac Bypass Surgery?

Question

You know how in cardiac bypass surgery ( CABG) , they have to graft a part of another blood vessel to redirect the flow of blood. Why can't they just take out the particles that is clogging the vessel? Sorry if this is a dumb question :l

Answer 1

Not a dumb question at all. They can put a stent in an artery to clear a clog if the clog is not completely filling the artery (because you risk putting a hole in the artery since you can't see the exact lumen or internal opening), the clog is relatively short (a long clog is difficult to stent) and the artery is big enough for a stent (under 1.5 mm. or so is impossible to get the wires into).

If you open up the artery lengthwise you can clean out the vessel, but it is hard to do without damaging the interior wall of the artery on such a small vessel (usually under 3 mm. in internal diameter) and you would have to sew it back up, and the stitches inside would recreate the clog.

So you bypass the blockage.

If the arteries are diseased for a long distance, down to where they are too small to bypass, you have to use medication only.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Probably because it would weaken the vessel and cause it to collapse which would be very bad for your heart! I don't know for sure but this would be my guess! I assume that when they put a stent in a vessel it kind of helps the blood vessel open up a bit which is what they would possibly try before recommending CABG. OK these are guesses-this is not my area of specialty. I'm sure you could find out though by doing some research online. Good Luck!