Which surgical procedure is referred to as heart bypass?

The term "heart bypass" specifically refers to the surgical procedure known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This procedure is designed to improve blood flow to the heart by using a graft to create a new route around a blocked or narrowed coronary artery. During CABG, a surgeon takes a section of a vein or artery from another part of the body and connects it to the coronary arteries, bypassing the blockage. This helps ensure that more oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the heart muscle, which can alleviate symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

The other procedures listed serve different purposes. Aortotomy involves making an incision into the aorta, primarily for surgical access or repair, while coronary stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent to keep a coronary artery open but does not involve bypassing. Angiography is a diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs, which does not involve any surgical intervention. Therefore, when referencing "heart bypass," the coronary artery bypass graft is the correct and specific surgical procedure intended.