Introduction
Triple bypass surgery is a procedure that treats multiple blocks in the coronary arteries. This procedure reroutes the blood flow around three blocked areas in the coronary arteries of the heart. It is performed in individuals with coronary artery disease. Triple bypass surgery is one of the most common open heart surgeries. This article gives insight into triple bypass surgery.
What Does Triple Vessel Disease Mean?
A triple vessel disease is a severe form of coronary artery disease. Coronary arteries are the main blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease develops when the coronary arteries become diseased or damaged. It is caused by cholesterol and fat deposition in and around the coronary artery, resulting in plaque formation. The triple vessel disease denotes blocks in three vessels, namely the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary artery. Triple vessel disease leads to a severe form of atherosclerosis. Coronary artery bypass surgery or triple bypass surgery is performed to bypass the blockages and reroute the blood flow to the heart.
What Does Triple Bypass Surgery Mean?
Triple bypass surgery is a procedure that treats coronary artery disease and reroutes the blood flow around three blocks in the coronary arteries. It is a type of coronary artery bypass surgery in which blood vessels are taken from other parts of the body, and the diseased and damaged areas of coronary arteries are replaced to improve the blood flow. In triple bypass surgery, three damaged vessels, namely the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary artery were replaced with healthy blood vessels. The blood vessels, such as the saphenous vein from the leg, the internal mammary artery from the inside of the chest, or the radial artery from the arm, are used to replace the diseased portion of the coronary artery. It is performed in patients with triple blocks in the coronary artery.
Why Is a Triple Bypass Surgery Performed?
Triple bypass surgery is commonly performed in coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol and fat accumulate on the walls of damaged arteries. This fat deposition thickens to form plaque. It reduces and blocks the blood flow resulting in a heart attack. Triple bypass surgery is performed in patients with blocks at three parts of the coronary artery. This surgery is essential for such patients because multiple blocks disrupt the blood supply to the heart muscle, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart attacks.
What Are the Indications of Triple Bypass Surgery?
Triple bypass surgery is indicated in patients with 50 % or more blockage in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery or 70 % or more blockage in the coronary artery branch. It is performed if angioplasty (a procedure to widen the obstructed arteries or veins), a less-invasive method, is not effective or if the blocks are complex and severe. The indications for triple bypass surgery include the following:
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Severe narrowing of the coronary artery.
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Severe chest pain and shortness of breath caused due to reduced blood flow.
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Multiple blocks in the artery and reduced function of the lower left chamber of the heart.
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A blocked artery that cannot be treated with coronary angioplasty.
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It is also performed if stent placement is ineffective and narrowing occurs again after stent placement.
What Happens in a Triple Bypass Surgery?
Triple bypass surgery is an invasive open heart surgery performed under general anesthesia. A surgeon makes a long cut in the center of the chest along the breastbone. The rib cage is spread open with a spreader to expose the heart. After exposing the heart, the heart is temporarily stopped, and the heart-lung machine is turned on. This machine bypasses the coronary artery and temporarily maintains blood and oxygen flow throughout the body. Then, a portion of a healthy blood vessel is removed from the lower leg, chest wall, or arm. The ends of this graft are then attached below the blocked artery to create a new pathway for blood to flow around the blockage. More than one graft may be required during this procedure to replace the damaged blood vessel.
What Happens Before a Triple Bypass Surgery?
Before triple bypass surgery, various tests and procedures are performed to determine if triple bypass surgery is suitable for that patient. It includes one or more following tests, depending on the severity of the disease:
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Blood Tests - Blood tests such as complete blood count and coagulation studies are performed prior to surgery.
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Chest X-Ray - A chest X-ray is performed to examine the chest, lungs, heart, ribs, and diaphragm.
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Echocardiogram - Echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to determine the blood flow in and out of the heart.
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Electrocardiogram - Electrocardiogram test is performed to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
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Cardiac Catheterization - It is a specialized invasive procedure that uses a dye and special X-rays to determine the blocks in the coronary artery.
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Carotid Ultrasound - A carotid ultrasound is performed to determine the presence of blocks or narrowing of the artery.
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Transesophageal Echocardiogram - It is an invasive test to examine the heart valves, chambers, and heart function.
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Computed Tomography (CT) Scan - This test is performed to assess the surrounding organs, lungs, and structures of the aorta.
What Are the Benefits of Triple Bypass Surgery?
The benefits of triple bypass surgery include the following:
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Triple bypass surgery restores the function of the heart.
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It improves the blood supply to the heart muscles.
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Triple bypass surgery reduces the risk of a heart attack.
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It improves the physical activity that was previously limited by angina (chest pain) or ischemia due to insufficient blood supply.
What Are the Complications Associated With Triple Bypass Surgery?
Triple bypass surgery is an invasive procedure with the following complications:
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Blood clots.
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Heart attack due to the formation of blood clots after surgery.
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Kidney failure.
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Failure of the grafted blood vessel.
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Infection in the breastbone.
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Infection at the site of the wound.
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Atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heart rhythm).
Conclusion
Triple bypass surgery is a procedure in which three diseased blood vessels are replaced with blood vessels from other parts of the body. It is an invasive procedure that restores the function of the heart, and it is performed in individuals with multiple blocks in their coronary arteries. Triple bypass surgery has a higher survival rate, and individuals with healthy lifestyles live longer after this surgery.
