Triple bypass mishap?

My grandmom had a triple bypass surgery a few years ago.  I know that a bypass is supposed to be done every ten years, but after getting rushed to the hospital, they could only find two bypasses.  Is this because in the orginal surgery the surgeon forgot/didn't put in the third bypass...or is it possible that a bypass can just disappear, or deteriorate to the point that a doctor can not detect it.  Please advise.

Thanks
Jill

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Bypass surgery:

Hope your grandmother improves. Your grandmother likely did have 3 vessels bypassed initially. Unfortunately, the vein grafts used are more prone to closing than the arterial grafts used. Approximately 14% of vein grafts are closed when people leave the hospital following bypass surgery and around 90% are closed at 10 years. The arterial grafts do much better. It is likely that one of her vein grafts closed, and could not be detected during heart catheterization. I would discuss this with your doctor to see which graft is closed and he/she will likely have other medical recommendations.


Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE