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Writer's pictureDr Rizwana Mustafa

Difference Between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery

Updated: Dec 21, 2023

The main difference between bypass and open-heart surgery is that bypass surgery creates a new route for blood and oxygen to go around a blockage to reach the heart, while open-heart surgery involves opening up the chest to access the heart.


Bypass surgery can be done through traditional open-heart surgery or less invasive techniques, while open-heart surgery is typically done through traditional open-heart surgery.


Recovery time for bypass surgery generally takes most people anywhere from 6-8 weeks to 3 months, while recovery time for open-heart surgery can be long and may take up to 12 weeks for most people.


Key Difference Between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery


Open-heart surgery and bypass surgery are two different types of heart surgery. Open-heart surgery is a procedure that requires opening up the chest to access the heart, while bypass surgery is a procedure that involves creating a new route for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery.


What is Bypass Surgery?


Difference Between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery

Bypass surgery is a procedure that involves creating a new route for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery. The procedure might also ease symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain. Bypass surgery can be done through traditional open-heart surgery or through less invasive techniques. In traditional open-heart surgery, the surgeon cuts the chest open to reach the heart. The surgeon can then perform the surgery “on-pump” or “off-pump.”


On-pump surgery involves using a heart-lung machine that circulates blood and performs the gas-exchange function of the lungs. Surgeons can also perform heart bypass surgery without fully opening a person’s chest. They can make small incisions in a person’s side, between ribs. They then insert small cameras and surgical instruments to perform the surgery.



What is Open Heart Surgery?


Difference Between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery

Open-heart surgery is a procedure that requires opening up the chest to access the heart. The term “open heart surgery” means that the patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, or bypass pump during surgery. The machine does the work of the heart and lungs while the heart is stopped for surgery.


Common types of open-heart surgery include heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft — CABG), heart valve surgery, and surgery to correct heart defects present at birth. Off-pump bypass surgery takes place on a heart that continues to beat on its own. This approach only works for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery (bypass surgery).


Side-by-Side Comparison-Difference Between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery


Bypass Surgery

Open Heart Surgery

A procedure that involves creating a new route for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery

A procedure that requires opening up the chest to access the heart

Can be done through traditional open-heart surgery or through less invasive techniques

The patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, or bypass pump during surgery

Surgeons can perform heart bypass surgery without fully opening a person’s chest

Common types of open-heart surgery include heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft — CABG), heart valve surgery, and surgery to correct heart defects present at birth

The surgeon can perform the surgery “on-pump” or “off-pump”

Off-pump bypass surgery takes place on a heart that continues to beat on its own


What is the difference in recovery time between bypass and open heart surgery?


The recovery time after bypass surgery and open-heart surgery can vary depending on the individual and the type of surgery. Here are some key points from the search results:


  • Recovering from cardiac bypass surgery generally takes most people anywhere from 6-8 weeks to 3 months.

  • Most people make a full recovery within 12 weeks of the operation after having a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

  • On average, a person will remain in the hospital for about a week after heart bypass surgery.

  • Most people will make a full recovery after heart bypass surgery, and many can return to their normal activities in six weeks or less.

  • Cardiac rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process after bypass surgery. It includes supervised exercise and education about nutrition and lifestyle.

Conclusion


In conclusion, bypass surgery and open-heart surgery are two different types of heart surgery. Bypass surgery involves creating a new route for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery, while open-heart surgery requires opening up the chest to access the heart. Both surgeries may involve the use of a heart-lung bypass machine, but bypass surgery can also be done without stopping the heart. Surgeons can perform heart bypass surgery without fully opening a person’s chest, while common types of open-heart surgery include heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft — CABG), heart valve surgery, and surgery to correct heart defects present at birth.

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