The most commonly perfomed surgery in the U.S., coronary artery bypass graft surgery (also called CABG or “cabbage”) is a procedure that reroutes and restores blood flow to the heart muscle. “Bypassing” coronary arteries that have become clogged by plaque (a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances), a coronary bypass utilizes a substitute blood vessel (or graft) to provide the blood with a new pathway to the heart. The substitute vessel can come from the chest, legs or arms, depending upon the location and size of the blockage and the size of the patient’s coronary arteries.

Coronary bypass surgery can provide immediate relief from chest pain and greatly reduce the risk of heart attack.