A Little Bypass Surgery History

OK, how about some bypass history.

First,

The first coronary artery bypass surgery was performed on May 2, 1960, at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Bronx Municipal Hospital Center by a team led by Dr. Robert Goetz and the thoracic surgeon, Dr. Michael Rohman with the assistance of Dr. Jordan Haller and Dr. Ronald Dee.

So, 5o years later it is my turn!

Second,

Terminology - There are many variations on terminology, in which one or more of "artery", "bypass" or "graft" is left out. The most frequently used acronym for this type of surgery is CABG(Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) (pronounced 'cabbage'), pluralized as CABGs (pronounced 'cabbages').

OK, I'm having a cabbage!

Third,

Number of bypasses

The terms single bypass, double bypass, triple bypass, quadruple bypass and quintuple bypass refer to the number of coronary arteries bypassed in the procedure. In other words, a double bypass means two coronary arteries are bypassed (e.g. the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and right coronary artery (RCA)); a triple bypass means three vessels are bypassed (e.g. LAD, RCA, left circumflex artery (LCX)); a quadruple bypass means four vessels are bypassed (e.g. LAD, RCA, LCX, first diagonal artery of the LAD) while quintuple means five. Bypass of more than four coronary arteries is uncommon.

So far, I could be having a TRIPLE - I'd rather be playing baseball!

So, here I am 50 years later, a CABG, that could be a TRIPLE. One week till my consult with the surgeons.