MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Heart bypass surgery

Skip navigation

Medical Encyclopedia

Heart bypass surgery - series: Procedure, part 1

Heart bypass surgery - seriesIllustrations:

Procedure, part 1

Although the heart itself is not "opened", the heart-lung bypass machine is used to re-route the blood from the heart while the surgery is being done to provide adequate circulation to the brain and other vital organs.

Update Date: 6/22/2006

Updated by: John A. Daller, MD, PhD., Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.