Coronary artery disease is when there are blockages that form within the blood vessels that supply blood to the muscle of the heart. Over time, those blockages can get more and more severe and eventually can cause a heart attack. UVA is a great place for patients to receive care for coronary artery disease because of our multidisciplinary approach, that cardiac surgeons and cardiologists work together to determine what the best treatment options for the patient are. 

Whether that's lifestyle changes, coronary artery stenting, or coronary artery bypass surgery, we provide all of those therapies here. And we will discuss with the patient and the other physicians to determine the best treatment course. 

Another reason to come to UVA for coronary surgery is that we're involved in several multicenter, national trials, looking at different aspects and improving care for coronary artery surgery. One of those trials is called the Best Trial, in which we use a new technology designed to improve the longevity and improve the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts. 

Another unique aspect of care in coronary artery disease that UVA provides is the possibility of hybrid revascularization of coronary arteries. This includes a combination of coronary artery stenting as well as coronary artery bypass surgery performed by both the interventional cardiologist and the cardiac surgeons. This provides the best of both worlds for a disease that would be best treated by a combination of stents and surgery. 

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