Heart Bypass Surgery

Heart bypass surgery restores blood flow in blood vessels (coronary arteries) that have hardened or narrowed.

This causes blood flow to the heart to slow and, if not treated, can lead to a heart attack.

In bypass surgery, heart surgeons create a new path around the blocked arteries (bypass) to allow for blood and oxygen to reach your heart.

The University of Maryland Heart and Vascular Center is recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as a high-performing hospital in heart bypass surgery. Our surgeons are experts at performing heart bypass surgery, using the latest technology to provide you the best surgical options, including minimally invasive techniques.

We evaluate each patient individually, guiding you to the option that will provide the best outcome

To make an appointment with our team or to learn more about our program, call 410-328-5842.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG for short and pronounced 'cabbage', is a more precise reference to heart bypass surgery.

In CABG, our heart surgery team will create a new route for the blood to flow around the buildup, using an artery from another part of your body. This technique is called grafting.

We offer many types of CABG procedures, including traditional, minimally invasive and hybrid. Our extensive experience and expertise with these procedures means we can confidently choose the approach that will offer you the best outcome.

Types of heart bypass surgery we perform include:

Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)

This procedure uses two small incisions between the ribs on the left side of the chest to access the heart. We'll harvest an artery from the chest, either directly or via a surgical robot, and will stitch the harvested artery to the coronary arteries.

The small incisions allow for a quicker recovery and a shorter hospital stay. This surgery is performed without a heart-lung bypass machine, making it a consideration for patients with chronic pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease and kidney failure.

Hybrid Coronary Intervention

Hybrid coronary intervention combines the best of both worlds: minimally invasive bypass surgery with catheter-based treatment. This combined procedure provides you with a minimally invasive, long-lasting and effective procedure to treat coronary artery disease (CAD).

In the past, if you needed both bypass and angioplasty, you would need two separate surgeries. Now, we can do this in one operating room using MIDCAB along with angioplasty and stenting. After our heart surgeon completes the MIDCAB, an interventional cardiologist will take over for the angioplasty and stenting.

Because UMMC has advanced hybrid operating rooms, we are equipped to perform these procedures without moving the patient between rooms.

Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB)

Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) is the least invasive coronary artery bypass grafting procedure available.

During TECAB, we do not need to open your chest at all. Instead, we place the bypass graft through tiny holes in your chest, using robotic instruments to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure. This is an even less invasive procedure than the MIDCAB.

This leads to minimal scarring, a shorter, more comfortable recovery, and a return to normal activities more quickly.

Transmyocardial Revascularization

Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) is a highly specialized procedure to treat patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina who cannot undergo standard open-heart surgery.

It uses a laser to make “channels,” or small holes, directly into the heart muscle. The outside of the heart muscle seals up immediately. TMR can reduce angina (severe pain in the chest, neck, jaw and shoulders) and improve the quality of life in patients with CAD.

In some cases, we may do a conventional open-heart bypass surgery in combination with TMR.

Traditional Open-Heart Surgery

Our surgeons will create an incision in your breastbone to access your heart. We'll place you on a heart-lung bypass machine to take over the function of your heart and lungs during the surgery.

Our surgeon will use an existing artery from another part of the body and use it to bypass the blocked artery. This has the longest recovery and hospital stay, but can often be the best way to achieve long-term success.

Advanced Heart Bypass Surgery Technology

You’ll benefit from the latest surgical technologies that offer excellent results for our patients. These include:

• Hybrid Operating Room – To provide the least-invasive and most effective surgeries, our specialized surgical suite combines a catheterization lab with a fully equipped operating room.
• Robotic-Assisted Surgery – Minimally invasive robotic surgeries allow our surgeons to more easily access hard-to-reach areas. This means a shorter and easier recovery for you.

Heart Bypass Surgery Excellence

You’ll have patient-centered care from an experienced, dedicated team that takes time to get to know you and create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.

• Commitment to Minimally Invasive Treatment – We have extensive training in minimally invasive surgery and are specialists in hybrid or robotic procedures. For older adults who often require revascularization procedures, this approach offers the best outcomes with shorter recoveries.
• Specialized Care for Older Adults – Many of our patients are older than 80. They often have additional health challenges that make treatment more complex. We ensure our patients get the safe, effective treatment they need.

Make an Appointment

Make an appointment with one of our heart bypass surgery specialists by calling 410-328-5842.