When coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, two major treatment options come into, angioplasty (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), commonly called bypass surgery. Both aim to restore healthy blood flow to the heart, but they work differently and suit different patient profiles.

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is guided through a blood vessel to the blocked artery. A small balloon is inflated to open the blockage, and a stent, a tiny mesh tube is placed to keep the artery open. Most patients are discharged within 1–2 days and return to daily activities relatively quickly.

Bypass surgery, on the other hand, involves taking a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, usually the chest or leg and creating a new route (bypass) around the blocked artery. It's a more complex, open-heart procedure, typically recommended when multiple vessels are severely blocked or when anatomy makes angioplasty less feasible.

So which is better? There's no universal answer. The decision depends on the number of blocked vessels, their location and severity, your overall health, diabetes status, and heart function. At Lilavati Hospital, GIFT City, every patient undergoes a thorough evaluation before any recommendation is made.

Our senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons collaborate closely to ensure the chosen approach is the most effective, and the safest, for each individual. We use advanced imaging including CT coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to guide treatment decisions with precision.

You deserve a plan built for your heart, not a template. Let our experts help you choose the right path forward.
Schedule a cardiac evaluation at Lilavati Hospital, GIFT City.