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When one or more coronary arteries becomes narrowed or blocked due to a
build up of cholesterol (atherosclerosis), the heart does not get adequate
blood supply. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) can help restore blood
flow to the heart by creating a detour, or bypass, around the blockage
in the artery.
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During the surgery, the patient is put on a heart-lung machine to take
over the functions of the heart and lungs and keep the heart still. An
incision is made down the center of the chest and the breastbone (sternum)
is separated. A healthy segment of blood vessel from another part of the
body, such as the saphenous vein in the leg, the mammary artery inside
the chest wall or the radial artery in the arm, are attached (or grafted)
onto the coronary artery to bypass the diseased section of the artery. While
the blockage remains in place, the graft allows the blood flow to be
redirected around it.
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