Anastomosis
The surgical connection between two blood vessels. In CABG, the graft vessel is anastomosed (sewn) to the coronary artery beyond the blockage.
Glossary
Cardiac surgery terms, explained in plain language.
A
Angina
Chest pain, pressure, or tightness caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Usually triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.
Anticoagulant
A medication that reduces the blood's ability to clot. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin.
Aorta
The main artery leaving the heart, carrying oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Bypass grafts are connected to the aorta at one end.
Arrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the most common arrhythmia after heart surgery.
Aspirin
A blood thinner taken daily after CABG to prevent clotting inside bypass grafts. Never stop without your doctor's approval.
Atelectasis
Partial collapse of small air sacs in the lungs. Common after heart surgery. Prevented by using your incentive spirometer.
Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)
A common irregular heart rhythm after heart surgery where the upper chambers of the heart beat chaotically. Usually temporary but requires monitoring and sometimes treatment.
B
Beta-blocker
A class of medication that slows the heart rate and reduces blood pressure. Examples: metoprolol, carvedilol.
Bypass Graft
A blood vessel (vein or artery) harvested from elsewhere in your body and used to create a new route around a blocked coronary artery.
C
CABG
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. Pronounced "cabbage." The surgical procedure that creates bypass routes around blocked coronary arteries using grafts.
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood the heart pumps per minute. Measured during surgery and recovery to assess heart function.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
A medically supervised program of exercise, education, and support after heart surgery. Strongly associated with improved long-term survival.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
The heart-lung bypass machine used during most CABG surgeries to take over the heart and lung function while the surgeon operates on a still heart.
Cholesterol
A fatty substance in the blood. LDL ("bad") cholesterol builds up inside artery walls. HDL ("good") cholesterol helps remove LDL. Statins lower LDL.
Coronary Artery
One of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself. CABG surgery bypasses blocked sections of these arteries.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
The buildup of plaque inside coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. The underlying condition that leads to CABG surgery.
D
Defibrillation
Delivery of an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm during a dangerous arrhythmia such as ventricular fibrillation.
Dehiscence
The opening or separation of a surgical wound. Sternal dehiscence is a serious complication requiring immediate medical attention.
Diuretic
A medication that increases urine output to remove excess fluid from the body. Often used after heart surgery to manage fluid retention.
E
Echocardiogram (Echo)
An ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and function. Used before, during, and after heart surgery to assess the heart.
Edema
Swelling caused by fluid accumulation in body tissues. Common in the legs after heart surgery.
Ejection Fraction (EF)
A measurement of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat. Normal is 55–70%. Values below 40% indicate reduced heart function.
G
Graft Patency
Whether a bypass graft remains open and functional over time. Arterial grafts (like the LIMA) have higher long-term patency than vein grafts.
H
Heart-Lung Bypass Machine
See Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Hypertension
High blood pressure. Target after CABG is below 130/80 mmHg.
I
ICU
Intensive Care Unit. The specialized ward where you recover immediately after heart surgery under continuous monitoring.
Incentive Spirometer
A small plastic device used to encourage deep breathing after surgery, preventing atelectasis and pneumonia.
L
LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein. The "bad" cholesterol that builds up inside artery walls. Target after CABG: below 70 mg/dL.
Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA)
An artery from the inside of the chest wall, the preferred graft for the most important coronary artery (LAD). Has over 90% patency at 10 years.
M
Median Sternotomy
The surgical incision down the center of the chest used to access the heart during CABG surgery.
Mediastinitis
Infection of the space behind the sternum. A rare but serious complication of sternal wounds requiring aggressive treatment.
Myocardial Infarction
Heart attack. Occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle is completely blocked, causing muscle damage.
P
Pericardium
The protective sac surrounding the heart. May be opened during surgery and can accumulate fluid during recovery (pericardial effusion).
Plaque
A buildup of cholesterol, inflammatory cells, and calcium inside artery walls. The cause of coronary artery disease.
S
Saphenous Vein
A long vein running along the inside of the leg, commonly harvested for use as a bypass graft.
Statin
A class of medication that lowers LDL cholesterol and stabilizes plaque. Examples: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin. Essential after CABG.
Sternal Precautions
Activity restrictions to protect the healing sternum. No lifting over 5–10 lbs for 6–8 weeks.
Sternum
The breastbone. Divided during CABG surgery and held together with stainless steel wires during healing.
T
Telemetry
Continuous wireless monitoring of heart rhythm, typically used in the hospital step-down unit after leaving the ICU.
V
Ventilator
A machine that breathes for you while under anesthesia and during the early hours in the ICU. Removed when you can breathe independently.
Ventricular Fibrillation
A life-threatening heart rhythm where the ventricles quiver instead of pumping. Treated with defibrillation.