What is commonly placed after grafting and before sternum closure in a traditional CABG?

• A. Pacemaker wires & chest tubes
• B. Only chest tubes
• C. Only pacemaker wires
• D. No tubes

Answer: (A)

After completing the grafts in a traditional CABG, surgeons place temporary epicardial pacing wires on the heart and mediastinal chest drainage tubes before closing the sternum. The pacing wires provide immediate external pacing support if the heart’s rhythm is slow to recover or there are conduction issues, while the chest tubes drain blood and air from the mediastinal space to prevent tamponade and other complications as healing begins. This combination is standard because it covers both critical postoperative needs: pacing if needed and reliable drainage. Opting for only one or no tubes would leave either pacing capability or drainage absent, which is not typical practice.