Angioplasty Versus Bypass Surgery for Coronary Artery Disease
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- Article
- What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
- What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
- How Is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?
- How Is Coronary Artery Disease Treated?
- Deciding Between Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery
- Newer Developments for Coronary Stents
- Newer Developments for Bypass Surgery
- Additional Information
- Figures & Tables
- Info & Metrics
- eLetters

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease caused by “hardening” (termed atherosclerosis) of the coronary arteries on the surface of the heart (Figure 1). CAD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
Figure 1. Normal coronary artery anatomy. The heart’s left ventricle pumps blood to the aorta, the body’s main artery. At the beginning of the aorta, the left and right coronary arteries emerge. The coronary arteries travel on the outer surface of the heart and divide into smaller branches that penetrate into the heart muscle. Reprinted with permission ©2000 StayWell - www.krames.com.
The inside walls of arteries are normally smooth and flexible, allowing blood to flow through them easily. Fatty deposits, or plaques, may build up inside the arterial wall. These plaques narrow the artery and can reduce or even completely stop the flow of blood.
What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
When blood flow is reduced in the coronary arteries, patients may develop angina. Angina is a discomfort in the chest, arms, or lower jaw that occurs when insufficient blood flows to the heart muscle. Angina typically develops during physical exertion or emotional stress, when the heart muscle needs more oxygen and is working harder. Angina usually lasts several minutes, and goes away with rest.
Patients with coronary atherosclerosis are at risk for suffering a heart attack. A heart attack can occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. The region of the heart muscle fed by the blocked artery loses its ability to function and eventually turns into scar tissue. Unlike anginal pain, the pain from a heart attack usually lasts more than 20 minutes and does not go away with rest.
How Is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?
Your physician will obtain a medical history and perform a complete physical examination. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may show evidence …
This Issue
Jump to
- Article
- What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
- What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
- How Is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?
- How Is Coronary Artery Disease Treated?
- Deciding Between Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery
- Newer Developments for Coronary Stents
- Newer Developments for Bypass Surgery
- Additional Information
- Figures & Tables
- Info & Metrics
- eLetters
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- Angioplasty Versus Bypass Surgery for Coronary Artery DiseaseAndrew D. Michaels and Kanu ChatterjeeCirculation. 2002;106:e187-e190, originally published December 3, 2002https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000044747.37349.64
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