What is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is accurately described as a surgical method that creates a new blood flow pathway to the heart. This procedure is necessary when coronary arteries become blocked or narrowed due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. During CABG, surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from a different part of the body, usually the leg or chest, and use it to bypass the blocked artery, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart. This can relieve symptoms like chest pain and improve heart function, ultimately reducing the risk of heart attacks.

The other options describe unrelated medical procedures. Installing an artificial heart pertains to total heart replacement, which is not what CABG involves. Likewise, examining cardiac function refers to diagnostic tests rather than surgical interventions, and treatment for varicose veins has no bearing on coronary artery procedures. Therefore, recognizing CABG specifically as a method of rerouting blood flow to the heart solidifies its crucial role in cardiovascular health.