What surgical procedure is indicated in patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease?

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is indicated in patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease because it effectively addresses the complex issues caused by multiple blocked coronary arteries. This procedure creates a new route for blood to flow to the heart muscle by grafting veins or arteries from other parts of the body to bypass the obstructions.

In cases of severe coronary artery disease involving three major coronary arteries, CABG has been shown to significantly improve blood flow, reduce symptoms like angina, enhance quality of life, and lower the risk of heart attacks compared to other interventions. The decision to perform CABG often depends on the patients' overall health and the severity of their coronary artery blockages, but it is generally the preferred surgical option when dealing with extensive disease that cannot be managed adequately with less invasive treatments.

In contrast, coronary angioplasty and stent placement are typically used for treating less complex coronary artery disease where a single or double blockage exists. These techniques focus on widening narrowed arteries but may not provide the durable long-term relief that bypass surgery can offer in cases of extensive blockages. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is unrelated to coronary artery disease; it's a procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve in patients