What is a Bypass? How is Bypass Surgery Performed?

What is a Bypass?

Coronary bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to restore blood flow by creating an alternative route to the blocked arteries of the heart. During the surgery, veins taken from the leg or chest are sutured below the blocked artery to allow blood to flow through this new route. This bypasses the blockage.
The coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart are thin and delicate vessels, measuring 2-2.5 mm in diameter. These vessels can become blocked due to hardening and calcification, which prevents the heart from receiving adequate nourishment. This can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart attack.

In Which Diseases is Bypass Performed?

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood to our body and needs to be nourished regularly to function properly. The vessels that carry blood to the heart are called coronary arteries. These vessels are quite thin, with a diameter of 2–2.5 mm.
Over time, these vessels can become blocked due to arteriosclerosis or calcification. The blockage reduces blood flow to the heart and disrupts its nourishment.
As a result:

• Chest pain and shortness of breath in the early stages of the disease,
• Heart attack in advanced stages.

Coronary bypass surgery is performed to restore blood flow to the blocked artery. This surgery is performed to eliminate chest pain and reduce the risk of heart attack.

What Are the Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

Many risk factors play a role in the development of coronary artery disease. Smoking is at the top of the list. In addition, people with a family history of heart disease, those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
If a person has these risk factors and, in particular, complaints such as chest pain or shortness of breath during exertion, they should see a doctor without delay. Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of success in both stenting and coronary bypass surgery. Interventions performed before a heart attack maximizes the benefit patients will receive from surgery.

What are the symptoms of coronary artery blockages?

• Chest pain (angina) during or after exertion
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Pain even at rest in advanced cases
• Sudden and severe symptoms resembling a heart attack

Chest pain usually lasts 3–5 minutes, feels like burning or pressure, and can sometimes spread to the arm. These symptoms, when noticed early, may be a sign of an impending heart attack.

When is Bypass Surgery Performed?

Coronary bypass surgery is performed to restore blood flow to a blocked artery. During the surgical procedure, healthy arteries taken from the leg or chest are sutured to the lower part of the blocked artery, allowing blood to flow through this new pathway. This enables the heart to receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients again.

Bypass surgery is performed to eliminate chest pain, reduce the risk of heart attack, improve the nutrition of the heart muscle, and improve the patient's quality of life. 

Why is Early Intervention Important in Bypass Surgery?

Bypass surgery is not always performed after a heart attack. On the contrary, it is safer to intervene before a heart attack, with early diagnosis. During a heart attack, part of the heart muscle is damaged, which increases the risk of surgery. Therefore, it is very important for people with risk factors to have regular check-ups.
Risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Family history of heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Sedentary lifestyle

What is the Preparation Process Before Bypass Surgery?

Coronary bypass surgery is often performed under urgent conditions. It is not appropriate to keep the patient waiting for a long time after diagnosis. In some cases, the patient may undergo surgery within hours. 
If the patient's condition is suitable and there is a preparation period of 1-2 weeks ahead, the patient is prepared for surgery in the best possible way during this period. For this purpose;

• Quitting smoking (to reduce the risk of complications after surgery)
• Improvement of lung function
• No active infection in the body
• Control of kidney function
• Balancing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients

The purpose of these preparations is to ensure that the surgery is both safe and successful. However, in emergency cases, the patient can be taken directly from the angiography lab to the operating room.