What does the term 'CABG' stand for in medical terminology?

The term 'CABG' stands for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. This surgical procedure is commonly performed to treat coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. During a CABG procedure, surgeons take a blood vessel from another part of the patient's body, such as the leg or chest, and use it to create a bypass around the blocked artery, restoring blood flow to the heart.

This definition reflects the specific focus of the procedure on coronary arteries, which are crucial for heart health. The terminology accurately reflects the nature of the surgical intervention: "coronary" refers to the arteries that supply the heart itself, "artery" indicates the type of vessel being addressed, and "bypass graft" describes the act of bypassing the blocked portion with a grafted vessel. Understanding this terminology is vital for medical professionals and lays the foundation for discussing related cardiovascular treatments and conditions.