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Coronary artery bypass surgery is a procedure used to treat atherosclerosis (ath-er-oh-skler-OH-sis). This condition occurs when the coronary arteries become lined with fatty deposits, restricting blood flow to the heart. Bypass surgery provides an alterate route for the blood to flow through, allowing it to bypass the narrowed or blocked areas of the arteries. During the operation, a heart-lung machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs and the heart is temporarily stopped. An incision is made down the center of the chest, through the breastbone, and a short length of vein is removed from the leg. Sections of the vein are sewn to the aorta, which is the main artery of the heart, and to a point below the blockage. Sometimes, the internal mammary arteries on each side of the breastbone are used as bypasses, with vein sections from the leg used as necessary.