Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Life-saving heart treatment

Whether it's a medical emergency or planned procedure, if you or a loved one need coronary artery bypass surgery because the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to your heart are narrowed or blocked, our skilled team is ready with the surgical care you need to get back to your best possible health.

Know what to expect

When you think of "open heart" surgery, you may be picturing coronary artery bypass surgery, which is the most performed open-heart procedure in the United States. During coronary artery bypass surgery, we will open the chest to expose the heart. Then, by placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass, surgeons can safely repair the blockages.

Is bypass surgery right for you?

Consider these questions:

Are you willing to accept the risks of surgery? While coronary artery bypass surgery can relieve symptoms, it also puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke and death, and recovery from the procedure takes at least two months.

Can you control your symptoms through other therapies? Open heart surgery is never the first choice for treatment. Your doctor can recommend treatments such as maintaining a heart-healthy diet, exercising and taking medicine. They also may be able to open blocked arteries through an angioplasty procedure.

As a teaching facility, VCU Health Pauley Heart Center is at the forefront of modern medicine. We are educating tomorrow's heart surgeons, which means we're always researching the next best intervention.

Contact us

We're here to help. You can count on us to help you determine if a coronary artery bypass procedure is right for you.

Call us or request an appointment online.