Cardiology Conference-CVC 2026

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedures are surgical techniques employed to re-establish blood supply to the heart in patients suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD). CABG continues to be among the most successful treatments for multi-vessel disease, left main coronary artery disease, and complex coronary lesions.

Conventional CABG has a median sternotomy to open the chest and access the heart, with cardiopulmonary bypass to support circulation during grafting. Blocked arteries are bypassed using arterial grafts (e.g., the internal mammary artery) and vein grafts (e.g., the saphenous vein), restoring oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Off-pump CABG is a minimally invasive option carried out on a beating heart, without cardiopulmonary bypass. This reduces the complications of systemic inflammation, neurological complications, and recovery time, and is ideal for high-risk patients.

Minimally invasive CABG involves small thoracic cuts, robotic support, or hybrid strategies employing PCI and surgical grafting. These methods provide shorter hospitalization, quicker recovery, and reduced postoperative pain but similar long-term patency and efficacy.

Patient assessment comprises coronary angiography, cardiac imaging, and risk stratification to establish the most suitable CABG strategy. A multidisciplinary heart team guarantees personalized planning, maximizing outcomes and reducing complications.

Technological advances in surgical instrumentation, imaging, and grafting techniques have transformed CABG procedures, making them safer, more accurate, and patient-specific. Such advances continue to enhance long-term survival, quality of life, and functional status for patients with extensive coronary artery disease.