Heart bypasses

[jeanpaul]

I have heard of triple and quadruple bypasses, but is there a quintuple bypass?

[ref43]

yes, there is..... it all depends on the number of artery blockages the pt has.

[CT]

Is there? I only thought the heart had four chambers, therefore, four passages to be operated on. Understandable if they were operating on another artery/vein at the same time, but would this count as heart bypass then. More info needed please.

[mibn2cweus]

CT, I believe it has to do with blood circulation to muscles of the heart rather than blood flow through the heart.

[nedflanders]

surely you'd just be better getting a transplant if you needed all that done?

[lizwizz]

yes, when a heart by pass is performed, the by pass refers to the coronary arteries, not the chambers of the heart. Although its not common to have 5 coronary arteries by passed, it is possible, as there are 5 main coronary arteries (I think, though there may be more). A very good reason not to smoke!

[jeanpaul]

Thank you all for your replies.

The reason I asked is that my BIL has had bypass surgery, unfortunately he lives too far away for us to visit and obviously the hospital can't give too much info over the 'phone.

The family who have visited seem rather confused and have said that they have used five veins and found some healthy tissue on the heart. They probably haven't been able to take in all the info that has been given to them and unable therefore to relay a totally coherent message.

I must therefore assume from your replies that it is probably a quintuple bypass. It was a case of either do it now, or he had only days left.

Thank you once again for your helpful replies.