Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Heart & Vascular >
  • ... >
  • Our Services >
  • Procedures >
  • Arterial Bypass Surgery
Heart & Vascular
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
Artificial Heart & Ventricular Device (VAD)
Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB)
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardio-Oncology
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Coronary Artery Disease
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Heart Failure
Heart Rhythm Disorders
Heart Surgery
Heart Valve Disease
Hypertension
Inherited Heart Disease
Interventional Cardiology
Limb Preservation
Pediatric Cardiology
Preventive Cardiology
Sports & Exercise Cardiology
Structural Heart
Telemedicine
Thoracic Aortic Disease
Vascular Surgery
Vein
Women’s Heart
Wound Healing
Procedures
AFib Ablation
Ablation for Varicose and Spider Veins
Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)
Aortic Root Surgery
Aortic Valve Surgery
Arterial Bypass Surgery
Cardiac (Heart) Catheterization
Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices
Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stenting (CAS)
Carotid Endarterectomy
Catheter Ablation
Compression Therapy
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery
Electrical Cardioversion
Emergent Aortic Dissection Repair
Endarterectomy Surgery
Heart Valve Surgery
Holter Monitor (24-Hour Electrocardiogram Monitoring)
Hybrid Ablation
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Insertion
iSVR: Intercostal Surgical Valve Replacement
Left Atrial Appendage Ligation (LAL)
Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead Extraction
MAZE Procedure for AFib
Microphlebectomy
MitraClip® Therapy
Mitral Valve Surgery
Open Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Ozaki Procedure for Aortic Valve Replacement
Pacemakers
Percutaneous Atherectomy
Peripheral Angioplasty and Stenting
Peripheral Vascular Ablation
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure
Popliteal Aneurysm Repair
Pulsed Field Ablation
Renal Artery Stenting
Sclerotherapy
Septal Defect Repair
Septal Myectomy
Sternotomy Approach for Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Procedure
Thoracic Endovascular Repair for Aortic Aneurysms (TEVAR)
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
Tricuspid Valve Surgery
Venous Bypass Surgery
Venous Stents
Watchman Device™ for Atrial Fibrillation
Tests
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us
Heart & Vascular
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
Artificial Heart & Ventricular Device (VAD)
Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB)
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardio-Oncology
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Coronary Artery Disease
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Heart Failure
Heart Rhythm Disorders
Heart Surgery
Heart Valve Disease
Hypertension
Inherited Heart Disease
Interventional Cardiology
Limb Preservation
Pediatric Cardiology
Preventive Cardiology
Sports & Exercise Cardiology
Structural Heart
Telemedicine
Thoracic Aortic Disease
Vascular Surgery
Vein
Women’s Heart
Wound Healing
Procedures
AFib Ablation
Ablation for Varicose and Spider Veins
Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)
Aortic Root Surgery
Aortic Valve Surgery
Arterial Bypass Surgery
Cardiac (Heart) Catheterization
Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices
Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stenting (CAS)
Carotid Endarterectomy
Catheter Ablation
Compression Therapy
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery
Electrical Cardioversion
Emergent Aortic Dissection Repair
Endarterectomy Surgery
Heart Valve Surgery
Holter Monitor (24-Hour Electrocardiogram Monitoring)
Hybrid Ablation
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Insertion
iSVR: Intercostal Surgical Valve Replacement
Left Atrial Appendage Ligation (LAL)
Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead Extraction
MAZE Procedure for AFib
Microphlebectomy
MitraClip® Therapy
Mitral Valve Surgery
Open Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Ozaki Procedure for Aortic Valve Replacement
Pacemakers
Percutaneous Atherectomy
Peripheral Angioplasty and Stenting
Peripheral Vascular Ablation
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure
Popliteal Aneurysm Repair
Pulsed Field Ablation
Renal Artery Stenting
Sclerotherapy
Septal Defect Repair
Septal Myectomy
Sternotomy Approach for Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Procedure
Thoracic Endovascular Repair for Aortic Aneurysms (TEVAR)
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
Tricuspid Valve Surgery
Venous Bypass Surgery
Venous Stents
Watchman Device™ for Atrial Fibrillation
Tests
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Arterial Bypass Surgery

Arterial bypass surgery creates a new route for blood flow around a blockage in a blood vessel.

UPMC vascular surgeons are regional leaders in performing arterial bypass procedures to treat moderate to severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) that has not responded to other treatments.



Find a provider


Find a Location

What Is Arterial Bypass Surgery?

Arterial bypass surgery creates a new route for blood flow around a blockage in a blood vessel. It is performed to treat moderate to severe peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

Conditions we treat with arterial bypass surgery

  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Why Would I Need Arterial Bypass Surgery?

You may need this type of surgery if you have moderate to severe PAD and:

  • Haven't responded well to other PAD treatments like lifestyle changes.
  • You’re not a good candidate for angioplasty and stenting.

Who’s a candidate for arterial bypass surgery?

You may be a candidate for arterial bypass surgery if you have been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease and other treatments have not worked for you.

Your doctor may recommend arterial bypass surgery if you are not a candidate for other minimally invasive treatments, such as angioplasty and stenting.

Alternatives to arterial bypass surgery

  • Lifestyle changes.
  • Medication.
  • Balloon angioplasty.
  • Laser and atherectomy catheter-based procedures.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Arterial Bypass Surgery?

Like all surgical procedures, arterial bypass surgery has risks, including:

  • Nerve injury.
  • Bleeding or blood clots.
  • Heart attack or stroke.
  • Infection.
  • Allergic reaction.

What Should I Expect From Arterial Bypass Surgery?

Before: How to prepare for arterial bypass surgery

Your doctor will explain the arterial bypass surgery procedure and answer your questions. To prepare for the procedure, you should:

  • Tell your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
  • Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal or other supplements you are taking.
  • Tell your doctor if you have heart valve disease. You may need to receive an antibiotic before the procedure.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop some of the medications before the procedure.
  • Fast for a certain period of time prior to the procedure. Your doctor will tell you how long to fast (usually overnight).
  • Have any tests that your doctor recommends. For example, your doctor may request a blood test before the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.

On the day of your procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.

You will need to stay in the hospital for 3-7 days after your procedure. You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after you are discharged.

How long does arterial bypass surgery take?

Arterial bypass surgery takes 2-6 hours, depending on:

  • Your health condition.
  • The location of blockages.
  • The area your surgeon needs to bypass.

During your arterial bypass surgery

Your vascular surgeon will perform your arterial bypass surgery in the hospital. You will receive general anesthesia, so you will be asleep and won’t feel any pain during the surgery.

To create the bypass, your surgeon will:

  • Use a vein from another part of your body or a synthetic graft if you don't have a suitable vein.
  • Make a small opening in the blocked artery.
  • Sew the graft from above the blockage to a normal blood vessel below the blockage, making a new route for blood flow.

Recovery after arterial bypass surgery

Most people will spend 3-7 days in the hospital after arterial bypass surgery. You can expect the incision sites to:

  • Cause mild pain or discomfort. Your care team will give you pain medicine.
  • Swell.
  • Drain.

Your vascular surgeon will give you details on how to care for your incision site at home. He or she will also let you know when you can return to your normal activities.

You’ll also need follow-up visits with your surgeon to check on the graft and ensure it works properly.

When to call your doctor about arterial bypass surgery complications

You should call your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, including:

  • Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at the incision site.
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath.
  • Severe pain, coldness, numbness, swelling, or discoloration in the limb.
  • A fever of more than 100.0°F or chills.
  • Fainting, dizziness, or weakness.

If any of these symptoms are severe, you should dial 911 immediately.

What’s the prognosis after arterial bypass surgery?

Arterial bypass surgery is effective for restoring blood flow, improving symptoms, and reducing the risk of complications from peripheral artery disease.

What’s the success rate of arterial bypass surgery?

Arterial bypass surgery has a 90-95 percent success rate. However, you may need routine follow-up care to ensure your graft continues functioning and your condition does not return.

Why Choose UPMC for Arterial Bypass Surgery?

When you choose UPMC for arterial bypass surgery, you will benefit from:

  • Our coordinated treatment approach — Our team of vascular surgeons works closely with other specialists to ensure complete care.
  • Our vascular surgeons — Our vascular surgeons specialize in therapies for vascular disease and deliver outstanding results.
  • Our experience — Our experts perform hundreds of minimally invasive and surgical procedures to treat vascular disease annually. UPMC is also a major referral center for people with complex vascular conditions. 

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login