What is the difference between coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention?
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure that reroutes blood flow by using a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body to bypass a blocked artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter to open a blocked artery and restore blood flow. CABG is a more invasive procedure and is usually reserved for more complex blockages, while PCI is used for less severe blockages. The long-term outcomes of CABG and PCI are similar, but each has its own risks and benefits.