About the Treatment Method
Vessel Selection and Surgical Techniques
If the patient has long and complex blockages in multiple vessels, if the heart muscle has begun to lose its contraction power (EF), or if the patient also has severe diabetes, Bypass surgery offers a much longer-lasting solution with a higher guarantee of survival compared to the stent procedure.
The highest quality and longest-lasting vessel is the "LIMA" (Left Internal Mammary Artery) taken from the inner surface of the rib cage. If more than one vessel is to be replaced, an artery taken from the arm (Radial artery) or a vein taken from the leg (Saphenous vein) is used as a graft.
When a superficial vein is taken from the leg, the deep veins (main veins) take over the function of that vein. There may be slight swelling or numbness in the leg for the first few weeks, but it does not cause any permanent deficiency in walking or leg functions.
In the traditional method, the heart is stopped and connected to a machine (pump). In the "Beating Heart" bypass method applied to suitable patients, no machine is used; while only the millimetric area of the heart where the procedure will be performed is stabilized with a special device, the heart continues to beat and pump blood on its own.
The information on this page is for general health advice. Please consult specialized physicians for personalized treatment or advice.
