Dear Doctors: My brother- in-law is 57 years old, and he is getting coronary bypass surgery. I don’t want to bother him or my sister with a lot of questions right now, but I do want to understand what is happening. Why is this surgery needed, and how is it done? Will it fix whatever is wrong?
Dear Reader: Facing major surgery is stressful and often frightening, both for the individual and for the family. It’s thoughtful of you to recognize that and to spare your brotherin- law and sister from having to make explanations at this time. It’s also possible that, by understanding both the surgery and the reasons it is needed, you’ll be better able to offer support if either of them seeks it.
Let’s start with a bit of basic anatomy. The pumping action of the heart sends oxygenated blood to all of the cells of the body. It receives its own supply of blood, also loaded with oxygen, from a network of vessels known as the coronary arteries. When someone needs bypass surgery, it means that one or more of the coronary arteries has become either narrowed or blocked. This is most often due to accumulations of a fatty, waxy substance known as plaque.
