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Blood flows smoothly through a healthy coronary artery, bringing oxygen to your heart muscle.

Healthy heart muscle

Blood flow to the heart muscle is slightly reduced if the inner lining of a coronary artery is damaged.

Blood flow to the heart muscle is severely reduced when plaque builds up within the walls of a coronary artery.

Oxygen-starved heart muscle

Blood flow to the heart muscle stops when a blood clot blocks a narrowed coronary artery.

Permanently damaged heart muscle



Coronary Artery Surgery

CVSA has performed more than 25,000 coronary artery bypass cases in its existence. Open heart surgery is performed to bypass coronary arteries that are partially or totally occluded. The operation is called "coronary artery bypass surgery". The purpose of this operation is to increase blood flow to the area of the heart muscle supplied by the obstructed coronary artery. This is important because the oxygen carried by blood is vital to the heart muscle. During your consultation your surgeon will explain the location and severity of your blockages.

A relatively recent (and advertised) technique known as “Offpump Coronary Artery Bypass"(OPCAB) has been frequently performed by CVSA physicians with excellent results. During your consultation your surgeon will suggest the most effective way for your procedure to be performed. We are also happy to answer any questions as to whether that technique is appropriate given the condition of your coronary arteries.