The term heart surgery often puts people on edge. It is true that cardiac
surgery is a serious treatment that should only be used as a last-resort
when the situation is dire, but that does not mean you need to be afraid
of it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States,
meaning cardiac surgery is a rapidly growing field and most surgeons have
significant experience. Many procedures no longer require open heart surgery
as there are numerous minimally invasive surgeries available.
Though there are risks Heart surgery success rates are excellent. You have
a right to know the risks of a procedure and why it is being recommended
for you. Our skilled cardiac surgeons can explain the procedure in detail
without using complicated medical terms.
Types of heart surgery
Heart surgery is used to treat some of the more serious heart conditions.
Victims of heart attacks often require surgery to treat the condition
that led to their heart attack in the first place. Surgeries are usually
preceded with diagnostic imaging tests to evaluate the heart and plan
the operation.
The following are some common heart surgeries:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting – The most common form of cardiac surgery is coronary artery bypass
grafting. In this treatment, a healthy existing artery in the body is
redirected towards the heart so that blood can bypass a damaged artery
clogged with plaque.
Pacemaker & ICD Implants– These implants are placed near the heart and deliver an electrical
shock to the muscle when an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) is detected.
Stenting & Angioplasty– Arteries that supply blood to the heart can narrow due to plaque
buildup. The harder it is for blood to bump through the heart, the more
likely it is someone will suffer a cardiac event. Angioplasty is a minimally
invasive procedure where the artery is widened with a small balloon and
then held open with a mesh tube called a stent.
Aneurysm Repair – An aneurysm is a bulge that occurs in the heart or artery when
the artery wall weakens. If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause serious damage.
Surgery is required to replace the aneurysm-infected part of the heart
with a graft.
Heart Transplant – Considered a last resort treatment for patients with end-stage
heart failure, heart transplants replace a diseased heart from a deceased
organ donor. Waiting for a donor can take time, so patients may be given
artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices to use in the meantime.
After heart surgery
Heart surgery can be a life-saving treatment for patients with heart disease,
but it is not the cure. Maintaining the same lifestyle that led to your
weakened heart will significantly increase the likelihood of another problem
occurring. This is why patients are enrolled in
cardiac rehabilitation where they can learn new exercises and habits to keep their hearts healthy
for years to come.
