What follow-up do I need after coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

Your heart contains coronary arteries that can become diseased. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) creates new pathways around the areas of your blocked arteries, allowing blood flow to be restored. Your blocked coronary arteries are bypassed with an artery or vein taken from another part of your body (leg, chest, or arm).

After coronary artery bypass surgery, it is important to make an appointment with your cardiologist within two weeks of discharge. Your cardiologist will monitor your progress over time and adjust your medications.

Patients will also need to make an appointment with their cardiac surgeon four to six weeks after discharge. The cardiac surgeon's secretary will send you a letter confirming the date, time and location of your appointment. (Patients who live a great distance from the hospital are not required to return for a follow-up appointment with the cardiac surgeon.)

Patients who have managed care insurance plans, such as Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, will also need to make an appointment with their primary care physician within two weeks of discharge. Your primary care physician (PCP) coordinates your plan of care with your cardiologist and cardiac surgeon.