Coronary artery bypass grafting treatment and diagnostics abroad

Coronary artery bypass surgery abroad

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an operation in which the surgeon creates a detour (a graft) for blood around a blocked heart artery. The heart muscle again gets enough oxygen, and the patient's quality of life improves noticeably.

Below are cardiac surgery clinics that perform CABG: compare their techniques, doctors and prices.

When bypass surgery is needed

The main indication is severe coronary artery disease: arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis let too little blood through, which causes angina and eventually a heart attack. Bypass is chosen when several arteries or the left main artery are affected and stenting is less effective. CABG is often combined with other heart operations, such as valve surgery or aneurysm removal.

How the operation is done

• Based on coronary angiography, the doctor decides which arteries need grafts; the number of grafts determines how long the surgery takes (usually 3–5 hours).
• The grafts are the patient's own vessels: the internal thoracic artery, the radial artery in the arm or the great saphenous vein in the leg.
• Conventional CABG — with a heart-lung machine.
• Off-pump CABG — on a beating heart, without a heart-lung machine; it reduces the need for blood transfusions. Some clinics also offer minimally invasive bypass through a small incision.

Recovery and rehabilitation

In the first days after surgery the patient stays in intensive care under constant monitoring. Full recovery takes 2–6 months. Cardiac rehabilitation includes a diet, an exercise plan (walking and special exercises) and control of risk factors.

Cost of bypass surgery

The price depends on the country and clinic, the number of grafts, the technique and the length of the hospital stay. See prices on the coronary artery bypass grafting operation page and in the cardiac surgery section.

Send a request with your angiography results — Clinics Direct coordinators will get a cardiac surgeon's opinion and a cost estimate free of charge.