About Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is heart surgery that creates new pathways for blood to flow around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
A healthy blood vessel (graft) is taken from another part of your body—typically from your leg, chest, or arm—and attached to the coronary arteries above and below the blockage. This “bypass” allows oxygen-rich blood to reach your heart muscle, relieving chest pain and reducing the risk of heart attack.
Traditional vs Minimally Invasive Options
Traditional CABG: Performed through a 15-20 cm chest incision with the breastbone divided to access the heart. The patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine during surgery. Hospital stay is typically 5-7 days.
MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass): Performed through a 5-7 cm incision between the ribs without opening the breastbone. Done “off-pump” without the heart-lung machine in most cases. Best for single-vessel disease, particularly left anterior descending artery blockages. Hospital stay reduced to 3-5 days.
Robotic-Assisted CABG: Uses a robotic system (such as da Vinci) for precision through small ports. Available at some centres for suitable patients.
What partner hospitals offer
- Cardiac Surgeons: Experienced cardiac surgical teams
- Technology: Modern operating theatres and cardiac surgical equipment
- Both Traditional and Minimally Invasive Options: Access to MIDCAB and robotic procedures
- Accreditation: Partner hospitals hold NABH and, in some cases, JCI accreditation; each hospital page shows which
Massvaa Care coordinates visa letters, airport transfers, accommodation suggestions and interpreters, and you pay the hospital directly.
Outcomes depend on your condition and the surgeon. Ask the treating hospital for its own outcome data before you decide.
Recovery & Travel Timeline
Traditional CABG
- Hospital Stay: 5-7 days
- Initial Recovery: 4-6 weeks
- Fit to Fly: 6-8 weeks with medical clearance
- Full Recovery: 3-6 months
MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive)
- Hospital Stay: 3-5 days
- Initial Recovery: 4-6 weeks
- Fit to Fly: 4-6 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6-12 weeks
Plan to stay in India until the cardiac surgeon clears you to fly: usually about 4-6 weeks after MIDCAB and 6-8 weeks after traditional CABG.
Cost in India
Costs depend on the hospital, the procedure and your reports. The indicative range on this page is a guide only; the hospital’s written estimate is the figure to rely on, and you pay the hospital directly.
