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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Center - Erie, PA

Erie Cardiothoracic Surgeon Doctors for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Type of Physician: Cardiothoracic Surgeon

What is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

A certification by the Board of Thoracic Surgery; practitioners are skilled in patient care before, during and after surgery, and the critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.

Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery

Common Name: Chest Surgeon

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Doctors in Erie *

Alan N Esper DO
Alan N Esper
5473 Village Common Dr
Ste 201 STE 201
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 835-9191

Association of Specialty Physicians
Geoffrey R Herald
1030 Beaner Hollow Rd
Beaver, PA 15009
(724) 775-4242

Erie, Pennsylvania

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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?

According to the American Heart Association 427,000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries were performed in the United States in 2004, making it one of the most commonly performed major operations. CABG surgery is advised for selected groups of patients with significant narrowings and blockages of the heart arteries (coronary artery disease). CABG surgery creates new routes around narrowed and blocked arteries, allowing sufficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

How does coronary artery disease develop?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries) builds up in the wall of the arteries that supply the heart. This plaque is primarily made of cholesterol. Plaque accumulation can be accelerated by smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. Patients are also at higher risk for plaque development if they are older (greater than 45 years for men and 55 years for women), or if they have a positive family history for early heart artery disease.

The atherosclerotic process causes significant narrowing in one or more coronary arteries. When coronary arteries narrow more than 50 to 70%, the blood supply beyond the plaque becomes inadequate to meet the increased oxygen demand during exercise. The heart muscle in the territory of these arteries becomes starved of oxygen (ischemic). Patients often experience chest pain (angina) when the blood oxygen supply cannot keep up with demand. Up to 25% of patients experience no chest pain at all despite documented lack of adequate blood and oxygen supply. These patients have "silent" angina, and have the same risk of heart attack as those with angina.

When a blood clot (thrombus) forms on top of this plaque, the artery becomes completely blocked causing a heart att...

Recommended Reading Related to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Heart Disease »

Heart disease facts

  • Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. Over a million people each year will have a heart attack and 25% will die before they get to the hospital while or in the Emergency Department.
  • Prevention is the key to treatment of heart disease.
  • Diagnosis of heart disease is often made by careful history taken by a health care practitioner. Some individuals may have atypical symptoms, including almost none at all.
  • The testing strategy to confirm the diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment needs to be individualized for each patient diagnosed with heart disease.
  • Treatment of heart disease depends upon the severity of disease, and is often directed by the symptoms experienced by the affected individual.

Introduction to heart disease

The heart is like any other muscle, requiring oxygen and nutrient-rich blood for it t...

Emergency Contact for Erie

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Erie Hospitals *

Hamot Medical Center
201 State St
Erie, PA 16550
(814)877-6000

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie
143 E 2nd St
Erie, PA 16507
(814)878-1200

Select Specialty Hospital Erie
252 W 11th St
Erie, PA 16501
(814)874-5301

Saint Vincent Health Center
232 W 25th St
Erie, PA 16544
(814)452-5000

Erie VA Medical Center
135 E 38 St
Erie, PA 16504
(814)868-8661

Shriners Hospital for Children Erie
1645 W 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
(814)875-8700

Millcreek Community Hospital
5515 Peach St
Erie, PA 16509
(814)864-4031

Corry Memorial Hospital
612 W Smith St
Corry, PA 16407
(814)664-4641

University Hospitals Conneaut Medical Center
158 W Main Rd
Conneaut, OH 44030
(440)593-1131

Westfield Memorial Hospital
189 E Main St
Westfield, NY 14787
(716)326-4921

Meadville Medical Center
751 Liberty St
Meadville, PA 16335
(814)333-5000

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