Techniques and follow-up results of coronary artery by-pass grafting with special reference to Indian subset of patients.

Coronary artery by-pass surgery is fast becoming the most commonly performed major operation even in our country. Coronary heart disease in Indian patients has a lot of peculiarity which distinguishes it from the western population. Indian patients are younger in age, more often diabetic and hyperlipidaemic. Smoking and obesity are not as common as in the west. The coronary arteries are smaller in diameter and are affected diffusely with the atherosclerotic process. These factors make the operation technically more difficult. The techniques have been perfected to a very high level and are being performed in India with results comparable to the western world. The average operative mortality for coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) is around 2%.