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Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, also known as heart-lung bypass or simply bypass surgery, is a type of open-heart surgery that is used to temporarily take over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery. This allows the surgeon to perform procedures on the heart and other organs while the patient's blood is rerouted through a machine that oxygenates and circulates it.
During cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the patient is placed on a heart-lung bypass machine, which pumps oxygenated blood through the body while the heart and lungs are temporarily stopped. The surgeon can then perform procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, or repair of congenital heart defects.
The patient is typically given general anesthesia and the procedure may take several hours. After the procedure is complete, the patient is weaned off the bypass machine and the heart and lungs are restarted. The chest is then closed and the patient is moved to the intensive care unit for monitoring and recovery.
Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is a major procedure that carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. However, it can be an effective treatment for certain types of heart disease, particularly when other treatments have not been successful. The surgeon will evaluate each patient's individual situation and determine whether bypass surgery is appropriate.