Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Center - Tuscaloosa, ALTuscaloosa Cardiothoracic Surgeon Doctors for Coronary Artery Bypass GraftType 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 Tuscaloosa * Thoracic Cardiac & Vascular Surgery of Alabama PC  Thoracic Cardiac & Vascular Surgery of Alabama PC  Thoracic Cardiac & Vascular Surgery of Alabama PC  Thoracic Cardiac & Vascular Surgery of Alabama PC  Robert J Cerfolio MD  James K Kirklin & David McGiffin MDs  James K Kirklin & David McGiffin MDs  Norwood Clinic Cardiac Surgery Tuscaloosa, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Coronary Artery Bypass GraftRead the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft article » 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 GraftHeart disease facts
Introduction to heart diseaseThe heart is like any other muscle, requiring oxygen and nutrient-rich blood for it t... Other Related Coronary Artery Bypass Graft ArticlesEmergency Contact for Tuscaloosa
Nearby Tuscaloosa Hospitals *Northport Medical Center Bryce Hospital Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center DCH Regional Medical Center Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Pickens County Medical Center Bibb Medical Center Greene County Hospital  UAB Medical West Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Angina
- Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
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Heart Attack
- Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical instability of the heart.
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Heart Disease
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
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Aortic Dissection
- Aortic dissection is a small tear in the large blood vessel that leads from the heart and supplies blood to the body. There are two types of aortic dissection, type 1 and type 2. Signs and symptoms of aortic dissection include a tearing or ripping pain, nausea, sweating, weakness, shortness of breath, sweating, or fainting. Treatment depends on the type of aortic dissection, and the severity of the tear in the aorta.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Heart Attack Prevention Series
- Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that help decrease one's cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Omega-3s are found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, and canola oil. These fats may help reduce the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
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Heart Attack Prevention Overview
- Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack is also a significant cause of heart failure. Learn the risk factors for heart attack such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions. Lowering your risk factor, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication are the most effective way of preventing a heart attack.
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Heart Attack Pathology: Photo Essay
- A heart attack is a layperson's term for a sudden blockage of a coronary artery. This photo essay inlcudes graphics, pictures, and illustrations of diseased heart tissue and the mechanisms that lead to coronary artery disease, and possible heart attack.
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