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Professional Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

CABG

Pronunciation: CAB-bage

Also written as: CABG — coronary artery bypass graft

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery to reroute blood around blocked coronary arteries.

Full Definition

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is an open-heart procedure that creates new pathways for blood to flow around severely blocked coronary arteries using grafts from the patient's own blood vessels. Common graft sources include the left internal mammary artery, saphenous vein, and radial artery. CABG is typically reserved for complex coronary artery disease not suitable for percutaneous intervention, left main disease, or multi-vessel disease with diabetes. The procedure can be performed on-pump (with cardiopulmonary bypass) or off-pump.

Usage

Usage note: Pronounced 'cabbage'; distinguish from other cardiac surgical procedures.

In Context

  • "The patient underwent three-vessel CABG with LIMA to LAD graft." — Operative report
  • "CABG is preferred over PCI for this patient's left main disease." — Heart team discussion

Also known as

bypass surgery coronary bypass

Contrasted with

PCI medical management

Don't confuse with

PCI valve surgery transplant
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