The medical abbreviation "CABG" stands for "Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting". CABG is a surgical procedure in which a blocked or partially blocked coronary artery is bypassed using a blood vessel graft, usually taken from the patient's own body. This allows blood to flow more freely to the heart muscle and can relieve symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath.
During the CABG procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the chest and opens the chest bone to access the heart. The surgeon then takes a section of blood vessels from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, and uses it to create a new pathway around the blocked part of the coronary artery. The graft is then attached to the coronary artery above and below the blockage, allowing blood to flow freely through the new pathway.
CABG is a major surgical procedure that is typically reserved for patients with severe coronary artery disease that cannot be managed with medications or other treatments. Recovery from CABG can take several weeks or longer and may involve physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation.