❤️ Coronary artery disease — the most common and the most fatal heart condition in Cyprus

Coronary artery disease is the most widespread heart condition on our island, affecting a large percentage of the population.

Many of our patients may remember Dr. Tzanavaros explaining that“the vessels of the heart resemble the trunk of a tree — the branches of the tree are the coronary arteries that supply blood to the entire heart.”

When the “trunk” or these major “branches” narrow or become blocked, blood flow to the heart muscle decreases — and in many cases, there is an indication for bypass surgery.

The first line of treatment is interventional catheterization and stent placement.However, in several cases, bypass surgery is indicated and must be performed urgently, in order to prevent a heart attack or other serious complications.

During the procedure, grafts from other blood vessels of the body — such as the left and right internal mammary arteries, veins, and occasionally the left radial artery — are used to create new “pathways” that bypass the blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart.

At the Cardiac Innovation Center, each patient is assessed individually to determine the most suitable surgical technique:

🔹 On-pump surgery — the heart is temporarily stopped, and circulation is supported by a heart-lung machine, allowing maximum stability for the surgeon.

🔹 Off-pump surgery — the heart continues to beat during the operation, reducing risk and allowing for faster recovery.

💙 To date, the Cardiac Innovation Center has successfully performed more than 400 bypass surgeries in its first four years of operation — a testament to our team’s experience, expertise, and commitment to caring for patients with coronary artery disease.