Can Rheumatic Heart Disease Lead To Heart Failure?

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a heart problem. It occurs when a streptococcal infection remains untreated, especially in places where medical care is not easily accessible. People can avoid getting Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), but it still affects millions of people around the world, mostly by hurting the heart valves. Even though the initial cause may seem far away, like a case of strep throat that wasn't addressed, the results can be terrible, even leading to heart failure. This blog looks at the complicated link between rheumatic heart disease and heart failure. Regarding this, the blog has been enriched with references from top-notch experts in heart failure surgery in Delhi and Mumbai (metro cities renowned for the best heart surgeons in India). 

An Overview of Rheumatic Heart Disease 

If one is unable to treat streptococcal illness, especially strep throat, the person can get down with rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disorder that can lead to rheumatic heart disease. 

How Rheumatic Heart Disease Leads to Heart Failure?

RHD can lead to an autoimmune reaction, and as a result, systemic inflammation forms. This condition affects the cardiovascular system. Within a certain amount of time, this inflammation could hurt the heart valves, making them less able to work properly and changing the flow of blood. The most common valve to be affected is the mitral valve, but other valves can also be impacted. 

As rheumatic heart disease gets worse, the heart valves gradually lose their ability to work. This leads to heart failure. Because the situation gets worse, the damaged valves have a harder time controlling the flow of blood. Unfortunately, this puts too much stress on the heart, making it work harder to make up for the valve's reduced function. Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart can't pump blood properly to meet the body's needs. Over time, the increasing amount of effort could lead to heart failure.

Factors of RHD Cause Heart Failure

• Damage of the Heart Valve

Heart failure is caused by a number of reasons that make rheumatic heart disease worse. At first, the damaged heart valves stop the blood from moving normally inside the heart chambers, which makes pumping less effective. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and other parts of the body, which can make it hard to breathe and cause the legs and belly to swell. If heart valve damage is diagnosed in a timely manner, heart failure can be eliminated. For this, heart valve repair replacement surgery is the most effective method. 

• Artery Blockage

The constant stress that a broken valve puts on the heart muscle could lead to enlargement, which means that the heart muscle gets thicker. At first, this might work as a way to make up for lost heart output. Over time, though, it could make it harder for the heart to relax and fill up with blood properly, which would make heart failure worse.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABS) is an effective way to treat artery blockage. To consider this treatment, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, renowned as the best bypass surgeon in Delhi. 

• Blood Clots 

When heart valves don't work properly, they can change the way blood flows, which can make people more likely to form blood clots. These blood clots can move to other parts of the body, which can cause major problems like a stroke or pulmonary embolism. This can make it harder for people with rheumatic heart disease to get better from heart failure.

• Prevention and Treatment

The best way to stop rheumatic heart disease is to treat streptococcal illnesses, like strep throat, quickly and properly. If medicines are given right away, rheumatic fever and the damage it causes to heart valves can be avoided. People who already have rheumatic heart disease need to get regular checkups, take antibiotics as a preventative measure, and make changes to their lifestyle in order to keep it under control and avoid complications like heart failure.

Conclusion

Rheumatic heart disease is a major cause of life-threatening health issues, especially in places where there aren't many medical resources. The initial cause, like a strep throat infection, might not seem like a big deal, but the effects could be very bad, even leading to heart failure. Understanding the link between rheumatic heart disease and heart failure emphasizes how important it is to diagnose the condition quickly, take action as soon as possible, and put in place a variety of management strategies. 

To lessen the effects of rheumatic heart disease and its complications, one should try to find and treat the reasons as well as make treatments better. To get more details, visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a popular heart hospital in Delhi, and consult with Dr. Sujay Shad. 

Heart Valve Disease: Causes and Symptoms

Heart valve disease is when one or more heart valves do not work correctly. The valves are responsible for keeping blood flow moving forward in one direction. They also prevent the backward flow of blood as it leaves each heart chamber. The four heart chambers include two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Additionally, the four valves are tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves. We get many questions on what heart valve disease is, their causes and their signs and symptoms. We have attempted to cover all this in this post. 

To provide readers with a better understanding of heart valve disease, we have drafted this blog by taking references from famous heart specialists, like Dr. Sujay Shad. He is renowned for performing the best heart valve surgery in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. By reading the complete blog, one will fully understand the symptoms and causes of heart valve disease in detail. So, let’s begin discussing. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease? 

Heart valve disease may not show symptoms sometimes. The following are some common symptoms experienced by individuals with heart valve disease. However, every individual varies and may experience different symptoms. The signs can vary depending on the type of heart valve disease and may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Pain in chest
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Swelling
• Migraine headache
• Low or high blood pressure depending on which valve disease is present
• Pain in the abdomen due to enlarged liver

If one is experiencing the above symptoms, it might indicate a heart valve disease. For this, individuals must seek medical attention right away. One can consult the expert heart doctor in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The adept heart doctor will perform several tests to confirm the diagnosis. 

What Causes Heart Valve Disease? 

The following are the causes of heart valve disease: 

• Changes in heart valve structure due to aging 
• Heart attack or coronary artery disease 
• Infection in heart valve 
• Birth defects 
• A sexually transmitted infection 
• An inherited connective tissue disorder which weakens the heart valve tissues
• Medicines 
• Radiation therapy aimed at the chest wall which treats lymphoma
• Having a history of rheumatic fever 

Note: One must understand that heart valve disease can occur due to two main types of problems including: 

Leakage of Valve (Regurgitation): When the valve does not complete properly, it causes the blood to flow backwards through the valve. This reduces the blood flow and leads to volume overload in the heart. 

Narrowing of the Valves: When the opening of the valves becomes narrowed, it limits the blood flow out of the ventricles or atria. This way, the heart is forced to pump blood with more force to move blood through the narrowed valve. 

How is Heart Valve Disease Treated? 

The treatments for heart valve disease include the following: 

1. Medicines: Medicines can help ease heart valve disease symptoms but are not a permanent cure. Digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers are all beneficial in regulating heart rate and stopping unstable cardiac rhythms. Vasodilators and diuretics are two other medications that can lower blood pressure. The medicines might not work if one has a narrowed heart valve. If the valve does not open, one might require valvuloplasty or transcatheter replacement surgery.

2. Surgery: Surgery is needed to replace or repair the damaged valve. In most situations, own tissues are used. When the heart valves are damaged severely, they must be replaced with new ones. The replaced valves include tissue (biologic) valves, animal valves, or donated human valves.

3. Transcatheter Procedure: These are minimally invasive procedures. During this procedure, the heart doctor replaces the heart valves. It is done through an artery (for the aortic valve) or a vein (for the tricuspid, pulmonary, or mitral valve).

4. Heart Valve Repair: This repair is performed for the mitral valve. A clip can be used to prevent blood from leaking through the mitral valve.

5. Balloon Valvuloplasty: During this procedure, a hollow tube known as a catheter is put in a blood vessel and the heart. A deflated balloon at the catheter's tip is placed into the heart valve. The balloon is inserted, inflated to expand the valve, and then removed. The procedure is only used for treating stenotic (narrowed) valves.

6. TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): A new aortic valve is placed inside the previous valve to perform this procedure. This can be done using catheters, wires or balloons, which are inserted in the arteries of the groin. The process can also help replace heart valves that leak or become narrow over time.

Conclusion 

Through this blog, we hope you understand heart valve disease, its symptoms, causes and effective treatment. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous heart specialist, at the renowned hospital Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. 

He also performs a range of other heart procedures at the hospital, such as coronary bypass surgery, aortic surgery, heart transplants, bypass surgery and many more. Dr. Sujay Shad is also widely recognized as the best bypass surgeon in Delhi. Consult the expert heart doctor, Dr. Sujay Shad, for more details on these procedures at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. 

When Heart Bypass Surgery is Recommended?

The most important role of the heart is to pump blood to all cells of the body, and the blood vessels offer a pathway for the blood to travel. The doctor might suggest heart bypass surgery if one or more arteries are damaged or partially obstructed.

In this blog, Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous heart doctor in Delhi, has given crucial information which is utilized to discuss what heart bypass surgery is and when it is recommended. Continue reading for more insights.

What is Heart Bypass Surgery?

A heart bypass surgery is performed to improve the blood circulation of the heart. During the surgery, a heart surgeon takes blood vessels from other areas of the body to bypass the blocked or damaged arteries. The risk of a heart attack and other heart-related issues decreases after this procedure. Usually, the procedure is carried out when coronary arteries become clogged or damaged.

Depending on how many arteries are blocked, the doctor may recommend the following:

• Single Bypass Surgery– One artery gets blocked
• Double Bypass Surgery– Two arteries get blocked
• Triple Bypass Surgery– Three arteries get blocked
• Quadruple Bypass Surgery – Four arteries get blocked

To learn more about bypass surgery, one can consider booking a consultation with the best heart surgeon in Delhi, i.e., Dr. Sujay Shad, at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

When Can One Consider Heart Bypass Surgery?

Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is advised in situations of severe coronary artery disease. The decision to recommend heart bypass surgery is based on several factors, including:

1. Severity of Coronary Artery Disease: A bypass surgery is recommended when there are major blockages or narrowing in coronary arteries, especially if these blockages are impeding blood flow to the heart muscles.

2. Symptoms: If a person with coronary artery disease experiences severe chest pain that is not controlled with medications, despite making lifestyle changes, this may require bypass surgery.

3. Failed Medical Treatment: If lifestyle changes and medications fail to manage the symptoms of coronary artery diseases, surgery would be advised.

4. Heart Function: If the heart’s pumping function is affected due to coronary artery disease, surgery may be recommended to improve blood flow and the overall functioning of the heart.

5. Location of Blockages: The location and complexity of the blockages could also play a major role. If the blockages are present in critical arteries or are difficult to treat using less invasive methods such as angioplasty or stenting, bypass surgery could be considered an effective option.

6. Number of Blockages: If there are multiple blockages that are difficult to treat with other interventions, bypass surgery could be recommended.

7. Overall Health of the Patient: The patient's general health and ability to undergo the surgery are important factors. Factors such as the presence of other medical conditions, age, and surgical risks are considered.

One must understand that heart bypass surgery is a major procedure, and the decision to undergo the surgery depends on the surgeon. The surgeon will thoroughly review the patient's medical history, test results, symptoms, and general health before deciding on the surgery.

Who is Not a Suitable Candidate for Heart Bypass Surgery?

One may not be a suitable candidate for heart bypass surgery if they have:

• Pre-existing conditions such as blood disease, heart valve diseases, etc.
• Severe physical disabilities, such as the inability to take care of themselves
• Diseases of other organs, such as the kidneys or lungs
• Advanced illnesses such as cancer, liver failure, or AIDS.

What Happens After a Bypass Surgery?

The patient will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) to monitor the condition. They will still be breathing with the ventilator but could be experiencing some of the heart bypass surgery side effects. This will include pain while breathing, coughing, and at the incision site. These are normal and will become better in a few days. The vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, will be regularly monitored while the patient is in the ICU for one to two days. The patient will be shifted from the intensive care unit to a regular room once the condition is stable, and from there, they will be discharged in 3 to 5 days.

One can follow these tips for speeding up their recovery process:

• Do not drive for at least six to eight weeks.
• Avoid indulging in intense workouts. Instead, perform cardiac rehabilitation if the doctor has recommended it. Cardiac rehabilitation is a personalized workout program that teaches healthy living habits.
• Perform simple household work only when one recovers.
• Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol.

The duration of the bypass surgery depends on the patient's overall health and the type of bypass surgeries one has had. To learn about the bypass surgery cost in Delhi, one can book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad, a reputed heart specialist at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Besides heart bypass surgeries, he can also be consulted for other heart procedures such as heart transplants, aortic surgeries, heart valve surgery, aortic dissection, etc.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - Who Needs It?

CABG stands for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is a surgical procedure that helps restore blood flow to the heart muscle by bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, and attaching it to the heart to bypass the blocked artery. 

It is a common procedure that has already helped millions of people with heart disease to regain their health and improve their quality of life. But who needs CABG, and how one can identify that candidates eligibility criteria and bypass surgery cost in Delhi has been answered by Dr Sujay Shad in this blog. 

Who needs CABG?

CABG is usually recommended for people with severe Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked. 

CAD is caused by a buildup of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances, on the walls of the arteries. As the plaque grows, it can restrict blood flow to the heart and cause chest pain (angina) or even a heart attack.

CABG may be recommended for people with CAD who have:

1. Severe symptoms: If someone has severe chest pain or shortness of breath that is not relieved by medication or lifestyle changes, a heart specialist in Delhi may recommend CABG.
2. Multiple blockages: If the person has been diagnosed with more than one blocked artery, or if the blockages are in a difficult-to-reach location, CABG may be the best option.
3. Left main coronary artery disease: A person with blockage in the left main coronary artery, which supplies blood to the majority of the heart muscle, CABG is usually the recommended treatment.
4. Diabetic patients: People with diabetes may be at higher risk for complications from stents or angioplasty, making CABG a better option for them.
5. Decreased heart function: If someone has been diagnosed with weakened heart function and the cause of it is coronary artery disease, CABG is the best option to improve the heart function.

How can one identify the right candidate for the Coronary Bypass Surgery in Delhi?

If someone has the symptoms of CAD, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, then the heart doctor in Delhi will perform tests to determine if the person has CAD and how severe it is. The examination of CAD include below-mentioned test:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of one’s heart and can detect any abnormalities.
2. Stress test: This test measures how well an individual’s heart responds to exercise or medication, and can detect if there is reduced blood flow to the heart.
3. Coronary angiogram: This test uses a special dye and X-rays to visualize the inside of the coronary arteries and detect any blockages.

If someone has been diagnosed with CAD, the cardiac surgeon will discuss treatment options with the patient. If CABG is recommended, the patient will undergo a thorough evaluation to make sure that the candidate is a good candidate for surgery. This evaluation may include:

1. Physical exam: Cardiac surgeons will perform a physical exam to evaluate one’s overall health and fitness for surgery.
2. Blood tests: Blood tests will be performed to check your overall health, including the patient’s kidney and liver function.
3. Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, may be performed to evaluate the condition of the heart and lungs.
4. Cardiac catheterization: This procedure may be performed to evaluate the severity and location of the blockages in the coronary arteries.

If someone is deemed a good candidate for CABG, the heart specialist will discuss the procedure with the candidate and explain the risks and benefits. One will have an opportunity to ask any questions before making a decision about whether to proceed with surgery.

Cost of Coronary artery bypass surgery

The cost of coronary artery bypass surgery can vary widely depending on several factors, including the location of the hospital, the experience of the surgeon, the type of hospital, the extent of the surgery, and any additional medical treatments or medications required. 

Whereas this cost may increase due to differences in the cost of living and medical practices in other cities. However, it is important to note that these costs are estimates and may vary widely depending on individual circumstances. It is essential to consult with a qualified medical professional for an accurate estimate of the cost of this procedure. 

To learn more about CABG pay a visit to Dr. Sujay Shad a renowned cardiac surgeon in Delhi practising at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

He has helped many patients by performing best life saving cardiac and heart surgeries. Using the best approaches and advanced techniques he has helped many many patients to get a new life.

To know more about these procedures pay a visit now at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today!

Bypass Surgery: Detailed Information Shared by Expert Surgeon

 The cardiovascular disorders have been increasing rapidly, taking around 17 million lives of patients every year. The most common heart problems include arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, etc. The increasing numbers result from risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, alcohol and cigarette usage, and inactivity. Various procedures are performed to manage heart problems, such as coronary angioplasty, valve replacement, heart bypass surgery, etc.

In this article, Dr. Sujay Shad, the best Heart Surgery Doctor in India, discusses coronary bypass surgery in detail. Read on to learn more.

What is Bypass Surgery?

A heart bypass surgery is a procedure that helps to improve the blood flow and supply of oxygen through the heart. During this procedure, the surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from a different body part and attaches it to the blocked portion by ultimately bypassing it. Diverting the blood flow with the help of coronary bypass surgery is a well-known treatment for atherosclerosis, which causes coronary artery disease. Individuals who are obese and have a high-fat diet are susceptible to such a disease. Although the open-heart technique makes this procedure invasive, keyhole and robotic surgery have been developed to lessen the invasiveness.

Who Needs a Heart Bypass Surgery? 

When a waxy substance known as plaque deposits on the arterial wall, the blood flow to the heart gets affected, which causes a heart attack. One needs bypass surgery if the arteries are narrowed or blocked and when medication and angioplasty fail. The cardiologist will ask one to undergo several diagnostic tests or procedures. Based on the test results, the cardiologist will determine how severe the heart disease is, the number of arteries blocked, and where they are narrowed. Depending on the tests, a CABG is advised.

What are the Different Types of Heart Bypass Surgery?

Depending on the blocked arteries, the surgeon will recommend the type of bypass surgery. These include: 

Single bypass: One artery is blocked

Double bypass: Two arteries are blocked

Triple bypass: Three arteries are blocked

Quadruple bypass: Four arteries are blocked

The number of blocked arteries affects the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, heart failure, or other cardiac problems. More artery blockages also raise the probability that the procedure will take longer or be more complex. To learn about the Bypass Surgery Cost in Delhi, consult Dr. Sujay Shad, the best cardiac surgeon, at  Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. 

 

What Happens During Heart Bypass Surgery?

• During the surgery, a breathing tube is inserted in the mouth, which gets attached to a ventilator. 
• The surgeon makes an extended cut in the middle of the chest. He will spread a rib cage open to reach the heart. 
• The surgical team uses medications to stop the heart. With the help of a heart-lung machine, blood and oxygen flow through the body while the heart stops beating. 
• The surgeon will remove a blood vessel, called a graft, from other areas of the body, such as the chest, legs, or arms. The surgeon will attach one end to the aorta, a large artery that comes out of the heart, and the other end gets connected to an artery below the blockage. The graft creates a new route for the blood to travel to the heart. 
• If one has multiple blockages, the surgeon may perform more bypass procedures during the same surgery. This includes double bypass, triple bypass, etc. 

In some cases, the surgeon may not stop the heart. These are referred to as “off-pump” procedures. Some surgeries rely on the help of robotic devices, and the surgeon will recommend the best operation for the patient.

What Happens After Heart Bypass Surgery?

The patient is taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring the condition. One will be still breathing with the ventilator and may have after-heart bypass surgery side effects, including:

• Pain with deep breaths
• Pain when coughing
• Pain at the incision site

These are normal and will disappear in a few days. The vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, will be regularly monitored while one is in the ICU for one to two days. After the condition becomes stable, the patient will be shifted from the ICU to the normal room and discharged in 3 to 5 days. Before leaving, the medical team will give instructions on how to take care of themselves and the dos and don’ts to follow after the surgery.

Are there any Risks Associated with Bypass Surgery?

Every procedure carries a unique set of risks. The risks of surgery depend on factors such as the patient's lifestyle, age, the extent of the disease, the surgeon's experience, and post-operative care. Some of the risks of coronary artery bypass surgery include the following -

• Bleeding before or after the surgery
• Respiratory issues
• Blot clots that dislodge and lead to stroke or heart attacks
• Pneumonia
• Infection near the sutures
• Graft failure

How Long is the Recovery of Bypass Surgery? 

Recovery from heart bypass surgery is a slow process that can take two to three months. After surgery, it's quite normal to feel sad and uneasy. The surgeon will set up several follow-up sessions throughout the first few months to monitor the progress. However, one should visit the surgeon immediately if one feels worse or experiences any symptoms. This include:

• Increased heart rate
• Fever above 100 degrees
• Discharge or redness around the incision
• Increased chest pain

What are the Tips for Quick Recovery from Bypass Surgery? 

• Stay away from driving for 4 to 6 weeks.
• Refrain from involving in intense workouts. One can perform cardiac rehabilitation instead if recommended by the surgeon. Cardiac rehabilitation is a customised exercise program offering lifestyle education and nutrition. After completing this program, one can work on fitness.
• Perform household work when one recovers.
• Most patients can resume their work after six days. However, if the job involves physical tasks, one must ask the surgeon before continuing the work. It can take three months to resume work with full strength.
• The recovery time depends on the overall health, the activities one performs, and the number of bypass surgeries one has had.

For more information about bypass surgery, one can book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad, the best heart surgery doctor in India at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. 

Open Heart Surgery: Basic Things One Should Know

 

During a heart transplant surgery, a deteriorating heart is replaced with a healthier donor heart to save the sick patient's life. Most frequently, patients who require a heart transplant are those whose cardiac diseases have not improved enough with medicine or other treatments. 

Everyone feels a little nervous whenever surgery is suggested, mainly when it concerns the heart. A renowned cardiac surgeon with a significant understanding of heart transplants, open heart surgery, and treatments for treating heart failure, Dr. Sujay Shad has offered vital information about Open Heart Surgery in Delhi in this blog.

When is Open Heart Surgery Required?

A CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) procedure may involve open-heart surgery. Individuals with coronary heart problems may require a bypass artery graft. Coronary heart disease develops when the arteries that provide oxygen and blood to the heart muscle narrow and harden. When fatty tissue forms plaques on the coronary artery walls, hardening occurs. Blood flow is hampered by the narrowing arteries caused by this plaque. A heart attack could happen if the heart's blood supply is impacted.

Other reasons may include the following:

• The replacement or repair of heart valves, which allow blood to flow through the heart

• The repair or replacement of damaged or abnormal heart tissue

• The implantation of medical devices to assist the heartbeat normally

• The replacement of a dysfunctional heart with a donor heart (heart transplantation)

What are the Risks Involved?

• Refusal of the Implanted Heart: One of the most alarming risks after a heart transplant is the body rejecting the donor's heart. If the immune system considers the donor heart a foreign object, this could lead to rejection, which could harm the organ. Every patient receiving a heart transplant receives immunosuppressants.

• Problems With the Arteries: The arterial valves in the heart could possibly thicken and harden after the transplant. Due to this, the heart may struggle to pump blood, which could cause a heart attack, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarctions, or early cardiac death.

• Primary Graft Failure: The most frequent cause of death in the first few months after transplant is primary graft failure, in which the donated heart is not functioning. 

Note: Immunosuppressants must be taken by the person for the rest of their life; among other factors, they can significantly damage the kidneys. Immunosuppressive drugs make it more difficult for a person to fight infections—in the first year following the operation. Thus, it is advised to follow the doctor’s advice. 

What Happens Before the Surgery?

• Inform the doctor about all medications one is taking, including over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Let them know if one has a herpes outbreak, the flu, a cold, or a fever. The doctor might advise quitting smoking and stopping blood-thinning drugs, such as two weeks before the procedure.

• One can experience alcohol withdrawal if one regularly consumes three or even more drinks each day and stops soon before the procedure. Following open-heart surgery could result in potentially fatal consequences like seizures or tremors. To lower the chance of these issues, the doctor can assist patients with alcohol withdrawal. 

How is the Procedure Carried Out?

A CABG takes three to six hours:

• Anaesthesia is administered to the patient. That guarantees that the patient will be sleeping off and will remain pain-free throughout the entire procedure.

• An 8 to 10 inch cut is made in the chest by the surgeon.

• The surgeon makes a full or partial cut through the breastbone to access the patient's heart. 

• The patient might be attached to a heart-lung bypass device after the heart is visible. The machine pumps blood out from the heart for the surgeon to perform surgery. Some more recent techniques use something other than this device.

• The surgeon creates a new passage around the obstructed artery using a functional vein or artery. The wire is left within the body after the surgeon uses it to seal the breastbone. The first cut has been repaired.

• After surgery, the breastbone is repaired with small plates and screws known as sternal plating.  Sternal plates may normally be necessary for individuals who are at high risk, including those who have undergone several surgeries or are elderly. 

What Happens After the Procedure?

In order to determine whether the system is rejecting the new heart, periodic cardiac biopsies are performed in the first few months after transplantation, when rejection is particularly likely to happen. Over time, less frequent biopsies become necessary. Any signs of resistance, including gaining weight, feeling out of breath, a fever, weariness, and decreased urination, will be examined in terms of one's health.

Book an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, best bypass surgeon in Delhi, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital straight away to learn more about heart problems and life-saving heart transplant surgery.

Open Heart Surgery: Basic Things One Should Know

 During a heart transplant surgery, a deteriorating heart is replaced with a healthier donor heart to save the sick patient's life. Most frequently, patients who require a heart transplant are those whose cardiac diseases have not improved enough with medicine or other treatments. 

Everyone feels a little nervous whenever surgery is suggested, mainly when it concerns the heart. A renowned cardiac surgeon with a significant understanding of heart transplants, open heart surgery, and treatments for treating heart failure, Dr. Sujay Shad has offered vital information about Open Heart Surgery in Delhi in this blog.

When is Open Heart Surgery Required?

A CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) procedure may involve open-heart surgery. Individuals with coronary heart problems may require a bypass artery graft. Coronary heart disease develops when the arteries that provide oxygen and blood to the heart muscle narrow and harden. When fatty tissue forms plaques on the coronary artery walls, hardening occurs. Blood flow is hampered by the narrowing arteries caused by this plaque. A heart attack could happen if the heart's blood supply is impacted.

Other reasons may include the following:

• The replacement or repair of heart valves, which allow blood to flow through the heart

• The repair or replacement of damaged or abnormal heart tissue

• The implantation of medical devices to assist the heartbeat normally

• The replacement of a dysfunctional heart with a donor heart (heart transplantation)

What are the Risks Involved?

• Refusal of the Implanted Heart: One of the most alarming risks after a heart transplant is the body rejecting the donor's heart. If the immune system considers the donor heart a foreign object, this could lead to rejection, which could harm the organ. Every patient receiving a heart transplant receives immunosuppressants.

• Problems With the Arteries: The arterial valves in the heart could possibly thicken and harden after the transplant. Due to this, the heart may struggle to pump blood, which could cause a heart attack, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarctions, or early cardiac death.

• Primary Graft Failure: The most frequent cause of death in the first few months after transplant is primary graft failure, in which the donated heart is not functioning. 

Note: Immunosuppressants must be taken by the person for the rest of their life; among other factors, they can significantly damage the kidneys. Immunosuppressive drugs make it more difficult for a person to fight infections—in the first year following the operation. Thus, it is advised to follow the doctor’s advice. 

What Happens Before the Surgery?

• Inform the doctor about all medications one is taking, including over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Let them know if one has a herpes outbreak, the flu, a cold, or a fever. The doctor might advise quitting smoking and stopping blood-thinning drugs, such as two weeks before the procedure.

• One can experience alcohol withdrawal if one regularly consumes three or even more drinks each day and stops soon before the procedure. Following open-heart surgery could result in potentially fatal consequences like seizures or tremors. To lower the chance of these issues, the doctor can assist patients with alcohol withdrawal. 

How is the Procedure Carried Out?

A CABG takes three to six hours:

• Anaesthesia is administered to the patient. That guarantees that the patient will be sleeping off and will remain pain-free throughout the entire procedure.

• An 8 to 10 inch cut is made in the chest by the surgeon.

• The surgeon makes a full or partial cut through the breastbone to access the patient's heart. 

• The patient might be attached to a heart-lung bypass device after the heart is visible. The machine pumps blood out from the heart for the surgeon to perform surgery. Some more recent techniques use something other than this device.

• The surgeon creates a new passage around the obstructed artery using a functional vein or artery. The wire is left within the body after the surgeon uses it to seal the breastbone. The first cut has been repaired.

• After surgery, the breastbone is repaired with small plates and screws known as sternal plating.  Sternal plates may normally be necessary for individuals who are at high risk, including those who have undergone several surgeries or are elderly. 

What Happens After the Procedure?

In order to determine whether the system is rejecting the new heart, periodic cardiac biopsies are performed in the first few months after transplantation, when rejection is particularly likely to happen. Over time, less frequent biopsies become necessary. Any signs of resistance, including gaining weight, feeling out of breath, a fever, weariness, and decreased urination, will be examined in terms of one's health.

Book an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, best bypass surgeon in Delhi, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital straight away to learn more about heart problems and life-saving heart transplant surgery.