Good Ol' Heart Surgery

The first coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures were done in the 1960’s, and they have advanced dramatically with success rates now hovering around 98 percent. The indications have narrowed since stents and angioplasty can treat many without invasive surgery, but surgery continues to innovate as well. Less invasive surgery in the form of off-pump bypass surgery avoids the use of the heart-lung machine. Although this newer technique has not proven to offer large advantages, clinical trials may one day show benefits including reduced incidence of stroke.