Hello @wisconsin2267,

You’ve asked a very pertinent question – open heart surgery is a major operation, and the most common type of open heart surgery is a coronary artery bypass graft or CABG. Your cardiologist would be a good resource to start with, as he/she can help you earn as much as you can about your condition and its severity.

When looking for a cardiovascular surgeon, some important factors to keep in mind are:
- Surgeon is board certified in thoracic, cardiothoracic, or cardiovascular surgery and performs heart bypass on a regular basis.
- Has experience treating patients with your specific condition. The more experience a surgeon has, the better prepared he/she is to anticipate and prevent complications.
- Practices at a hospital known to have high-quality outcomes in heart bypass surgery or cardiac surgery – heart surgeons require a team of very highly skilled and experienced healthcare professionals.
- You are comfortable talking with and who fully answers your questions. Does he/she respect your opinions and answer your questions in a way you understand?

For instance, Mayo Clinic cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeons perform more than 4,500 cardiac surgeries each year. They treat many conditions and perform many complex procedures. The surgeons are on the leading edge of treating cardiovascular and cardiothoracic conditions, including those that are rare and complex. They use the latest innovations in heart surgery, such as minimally invasive heart surgery with robot-assisted techniques.
Here’s some more information: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coronary-bypass-surgery/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20384591