About Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Key Highlights
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Effectively restores blood flow to the heart muscle, relieving symptoms like angina.Significantly reduces the risk of future heart attacks and improves long-term survival rates.Can improve heart function and overall quality of life, allowing a return to normal activities.Offers a durable and proven solution for complex or multi-vessel coronary artery disease.Techniques like off-pump or minimally invasive CABG may reduce recovery time for suitable candidates.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe blockage of the left main coronary artery or multiple major coronary arteries.
- Persistent chest pain (angina) that does not improve with medications or less invasive procedures like angioplasty.
- Coronary artery disease with weakened heart function (low ejection fraction).
- Following a heart attack, especially if there is ongoing damage or blockages are not suitable for stenting.
- A failed previous angioplasty or stent procedure with recurrent narrowing.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough pre-operative evaluation, including blood tests, chest X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, and coronary angiogram.
- Discuss all current medications with the cardiac team; you may need to stop certain drugs like blood thinners days before surgery.
- Quit smoking and avoid alcohol to promote better healing and reduce surgical risks.
- Follow specific fasting instructions (typically nothing to eat or drink after midnight before the surgery).
- Arrange for help at home during the initial recovery period and plan for your hospital stay.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding during or after the surgery, which may require a blood transfusion.
- Risk of infection at the incision sites or within the chest (mediastinitis).
- Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation.
- Stroke or temporary cognitive changes due to factors like anesthesia or manipulation of the aorta.
- Kidney problems, especially in patients with pre-existing kidney disease.
- Reactions to anesthesia and, rarely, graft failure or recurrence of blockages over time.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 1-2 days are spent in the Cardiac ICU for close monitoring of heart, lungs, and vital signs.
- You will be encouraged to sit up, walk short distances, and perform breathing exercises soon after surgery to prevent complications.
- Pain at the incision sites is managed with medication. Full sternal healing takes 6-8 weeks.
- A cardiac rehabilitation program is essential, involving supervised exercise, dietary counseling, and education.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor recovery, manage medications (like blood thinners and statins), and assess heart health.
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Typical hospital stay: 7-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering coronary artery bypass grafting in South Korea, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in South Korea with cardiac surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform coronary artery bypass grafting. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for coronary artery bypass grafting compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | USD 4,725 – USD 10,395 | 7-10 days | ~ 6-12 weeks | Know More |
| Thailand | USD 4,800 – USD 12,320 | 7-10 days | ~ 6-12 weeks | Know More |
| South Korea | USD 4,800 – USD 12,320 | 7-10 days | ~ 6-12 weeks | Know More |
| India | USD 2,728 – USD 6,001 | 7-10 days | ~ 6-12 weeks | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 20,154 – USD 44,340 | 7-10 days | ~ 6-12 weeks | Know More |
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