According to vital statistics heart disease is the leading cause of death in NYS. Different treatments are recommended for patients on an individualized basis. Medication, smoking cessation, diet and exercise may forestall the need for invasive procedures. The most common form of heart disease is atheroscleortic coronary heart disease. The progression of  this condition often requires interventional procedures in addition to lifestyle changes.

The Department of Health

The DOH has been monitoring and publicly reporting outcomes of cardiac surgery since 1989 to inform consumers of this vital information. Risk adjustment methodologies have been applied to outcomes to account for high risk cases. Due to changes in techniques and internal scrutiny of performance, mortality rates in cardiac surgery throughout NYS have declined fourfold over that time. Angioplasty has also taken its place as a less invasive approach to intervention and is growing in volume. Use of angioplasty in evolving heart attacks has saved countless lives and is closely monitored by CMS and NYS.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

CABG is the most common procedure for treating advanced  multi-vessel atheroscleortic coronary heart disease blockages. CABG surgery is procedure in which a vein or artery from another part of the body is used to create an alternate path for blood to flow to the heart bypassing the blockage, therefore the name bypass surgery. Veins from the leg, arm or chest are most commonly used conduits for bypass.

CABG is one of the most commonly performed major surgeries in the USA. Advances in surgical technique and anesthesia bypass methods have reduced but certainly not eliminated the risks associated with CABG surgery. A substantial recovery period often follows the procedure and the disease is not cured, therefore lifestyle changes and medical management are still required. Minimally invasive and beating heart CABG surgery has opened new options for patients appropriate for the procedure. North Shore-LIJ is a national leader in this approach.