Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) is a surgical procedure performed in order to go around (bypass) blockages in the coronary arteries to improve blood flow.  This article will address why the procedure is performed, how the procedure is performed, and how to code the procedure.

Cardiovascular Disease

In the United States, it is estimated that one in three adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.  Cardiovascular disease includes high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and congenital cardiovascular defects. 

Here are some scary statistics:

  • Almost 2,400 Americans die each day of cardiovascular disease
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and men
  • One in every five deaths in the US was caused by cardiovascular heart disease in 2004
  • In the US, about every 26 seconds someone will suffer a cardiac event
  • In the US, almost every minute someone will die from a cardiac event
  • The estimated costs of coronary heart disease is $156.4 billion for 2008
  • The estimated costs of stroke is $64.4 billion for 2008
  • The estimated costs of hypertensive disease is $69.4 billion for 2008
  • The estimated costs of heart failure is $34.8 billion for 2008
  • From 1975-2005 inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures increased 484% to 6,989,000 annually
  • In 2005, 469,000 CABGs were performed

There are two main coronary arteries, the left coronary artery (LCA) and the right coronary artery (RCA).  They supply blood and oxygen to the heart.  The RCA supplies blood to the right ventricle and partially to the left ventricle.  The LCA bifurcates (splits off) into the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the left circumflex artery (LCX).

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries) builds up in the wall of the coronary arteries. This plaque is primarily made of cholesterol. Plaque accumulation can be accelerated by the following factors: smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, age (greater than 45 years for men and 55 years for women), or if they have a positive family history for early coronary artery disease.