Any surgery performed on muscles, valves, or the arteries by cutting them open is called open heart surgery. One of the most common reasons to perform this surgery is to harden arteries when fatty material creates plaque in the valves. Open heart surgery is a surgery performed by heart specialists to repair a heart. Although it is considered a complicated surgery, open heart surgery is one of the most common surgeries done on adults.
To provide the readers with a better understanding of open heart surgery and its success rate, Dr. Sujay Shad, a renowned heart surgery doctor at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, has shared important insights about the same in this article. The expert heart specialist is known for performing the best open heart surgery in Delhi. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Open Heart Surgery?
Open heart surgery is a medical procedure where the heart specialist opens the chest to access the heart. It is performed to treat a range of heart conditions that can otherwise not be treated effectively with less invasive methods. During open heart surgery, the patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they do not feel pain throughout the procedure. The heart specialist makes an incision in the chest to assess the heart. The surgeon then performs the required repairs or procedures after opening the chest cavity, and the heart is temporarily stopped. Open heart surgery is a major surgical treatment that involves risks and necessitates careful preoperative evaluation and aftercare, despite the fact that it can be quite helpful in treating serious cardiac diseases. Recent developments in medical technology have led to the development of less invasive alternatives for some heart operations, which, in some circumstances, can eliminate the need for full open heart surgery.
When is Open Heart Surgery Required?
Patients would benefit from open heart surgery only for a few reasons:
Blocked Arteries: If stents or other less invasive treatments do not work, surgeons may choose a CABG to take the healthy vessels and create a passage for the blood to go through to bypass the blockage.
Leaky or Tight Valves: The heart valves act like a door to the heart muscles. Heart valve replacement can replace the valves that allow the blood to flow backward into the heart and lungs instead of to the rest of the body.
Advanced Heart Failure: Patients suffering from heart failure could benefit from different types of open heart surgeries such as heart valve replacement, CABG, ventricular assist devices (VAD) or impella, and even heart transplants from a donor.
Book an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, a heart surgery doctor in India, to learn more about open heart surgeries.
What Happens During Open Heart Surgery?
During open heart surgery, the heart surgeon makes a cut or an incision on the chest to assess the heart. The surgeon will then remove the blocked or damaged artery and replace it with a healthy one. During the surgery, the patient will be hooked up to a heart-lung machine. The machine will be responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the body when the surgeon is operating on the heart.
Post-procedure, the surgeon will take the patient off the machine and check if the graft was successful. If the new artery is working fine to restore blood flow to the heart, the procedure will be considered successful. After a successful bypass, the incisions will be closed, and the patient will stay in intensive care until they show signs of recovery.
When Can One Undergo Open Heart Surgery?
The severity of the coronary artery disease indicates one needs open heart surgery. If the medications are not enough to treat blocked arteries, the cardiologist could recommend open heart surgery. This will allow the surgeon to bypass the blocked artery with a healthy one, and the blood will flow back to the heart, which will lead to an improved quality of life. The heart specialist will determine if one is an ideal candidate for open heart surgery based on the criteria given below:
Good Physical Condition: The heart specialist will evaluate one’s physical condition. A valve or artery in the heart that is no longer functional will be removed during open heart surgery, but this won't cure the heart problem. If one does not make healthy changes to their lifestyle after the surgery, there are chances that the artery will become blocked again. It's critical to commit to physical exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet. Such modifications will help one live longer and better after open heart surgery.
Postoperative Care: One must have someone around them who will take care of them after the operation. Postoperative care is vital in determining the success of open heart surgery. Recovery from the surgery could take a few days. During the recovery, one should avoid strenuous physical activities, as these could strain the chest, open the incisions, and lead to complications. Dr. Sujay Shad, a famous heart surgery doctor, will share post-operative tips with the patient after performing the open heart surgery. This will lead to smoother and quicker healing.
Smoking: The heart doctor will ask the patient to quit smoking and live a healthy lifestyle. Heart bypass patients can live for several years as long as they stop smoking.
What is the Open Heart Surgery Success Rate?
The success rate of open heart surgeries can vary depending on several factors, i.e., the patient's overall health and age, the specific condition being treated, the experience of the surgeon performing the surgery, and post-operative care. However, immense advancements in medical technology, surgical techniques, and post-operative care have improved the success rate of open heart surgeries over the years. Many heart surgeries are successfully performed, leading to improved heart function and increased quality of life. Some of the most common open heart surgeries include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, and surgeries to treat congenital heart defects.
However, like any other surgical procedure, there could be some complications associated with open heart surgery. These include bleeding, infections, reactions to anesthesia, etc. The success of the surgery will also depend on the overall health of the patient undergoing the surgery and other health conditions such as BP, diabetes, obesity, etc. One should have a discussion with medical professionals to understand the risks and potential outcomes associated with open heart surgery.
To learn more about open heart surgery or any other heart surgery such as CABG, heart transplants, aortic surgery, etc., one can book an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad, a heart specialist in Delhi, at the renowned Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today.
