1. Spider and Varicose Veins Slideshow Pictures
2. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Daniel Lee Kulick, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Daniel Lee Kulick, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Dr. Kulick received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine. He performed his residency in internal medicine at the Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center and a fellowship in the section of cardiology at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?
• How does coronary artery disease develop?
• How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?
• How is coronary artery disease (CAD) treated?
• How is CABG surgery done?
• How do patients recover after CABG surgery?
• What are the risks and complications of CABG surgery?
• What are the long-term results after CABG surgery?
• How do CABG surgery and PTCA (angioplasty) compare?
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - Causes
• Patient Comments: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - Experience
• Patient Comments: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - Recovery
• Find a local Cardiothoracic Surgeon in your town
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Index

How do CABG surgery and angioplasty (PTCA) compare?

Ongoing studies are comparing the treatment results of angioplasty (PTCA) versus bypass (CABG surgery) in patients who are candidates for either procedure. Both procedures are very effective in reducing angina symptoms, preventing heart attacks, and reducing death. Many studies have either shown similar benefits or slight advantage to CABG (primarily in severe diabetics), although current studies are evaluating the two procedures utilizing the most current improved techniques (for example, newer "medicated" stents and the off-pump CABG); this data is still being collected. The best choice for an individual patient is best made by their cardiologist, surgeon, and primary doctor.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft At A Glance

• Coronary artery disease develops because of hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) that supply blood to the heart muscle.

• In the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, helpful tests include EKG, stress test, echocardiography, and coronary angiography.

• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery reestablishes sufficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.

• The bypass graft for a CABG can be a vein from the leg or an inner chest wall artery.

References: American Heart Association, "Open-Heart Surgery Statistics"
Last Editorial Review: 5/7/2007