Things to Know On Open Heart Surgery

 A surgical procedure known as "open-heart surgery" involves cutting open the chest to operate on the heart or nearby arteries. Open-heart surgery is performed by cardiac surgeons to treat severe coronary artery disease (CAD), replace or repair heart valves, or correct structural defects in the heart. Although open heart surgery is complicated, the risk of death is very low. 

In this blog, Dr. Sujay Shad, an experienced heart surgeon who performs open heart surgery in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, shares some valuable information about open heart surgery.

When Would Someone Need Open Heart Surgery?

A CABG could require open-heart surgery. For those with coronary heart disease, a coronary artery bypass graft might be required.

The blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle become hard and restricted with coronary heart disease. "Hardening of the arteries" is the term used to describe this condition.

The walls of the coronary arteries become hardened when fatty material deposits itself as plaque. Because of this plaque, blood cannot flow through the arteries easily. A heart attack could happen if the heart's blood flow is compromised.

Additionally, open-heart surgery is performed on:

• repair or replacement of heart valves, which is necessary to allow blood to flow through the heart.
• repair any heart tissue that is harmed or is abnormal.
• medical implants that promote proper heartbeat
• heart transplant: the replacement of a diseased heart with a donor heart

What Kinds of Open Heart Procedures are there?

Open-heart surgery is a term used to describe surgeries in which the heart is accessed through a chest incision in order to perform interventions on the heart or its major blood vessels. Here are some examples of the various open-heart procedures:

• CABG: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The most frequent kind of open-heart surgery is this one. It involves using grafts (blood vessels taken from another part of the body or synthetic grafts) to create a bypass for blood flow around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.

• Valve Replacement or Repair

This procedure is carried out to fix or swap out unhealthy or damaged heart valves. The affected valve is removed during the procedure, and either a mechanical valve or a biological valve is used in its place. 

• Heart Transplant

The need for a heart transplant may arise in cases of severe heart failure. The diseased heart is removed during this procedure, and a donor's healthy heart is put in its place.

• Arrhythmia Treatment

Heart irregularities, or arrhythmia, cause irregular heartbeats. During surgery, a pacemaker or an ICD is implanted inside the body to treat irregular heartbeats. Treatments for arrhythmia ablation are now readily available thanks to cutting-edge technology and skilled surgeons.

 

Procedure of Open-Heart Surgery

1. Patients will initially receive anesthesia to put them to sleep.
2. After that, the surgeon will carefully make an 8 to 10 inch incision in the chest.
3. The patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine as soon as the heart is visible to help with blood flow throughout the procedure.
4. A healthy vein, usually the saphenous vein from the leg, will be used to patch up the fractured vein.
5. The surgeon will close the incisions after the procedure.

How Long Exactly Does Recovery from Open Heart Surgery take?

Each person's situation is unique. However, the average length of stay in the intensive care unit is one or two days. One might not be able to eat or drink anything during this time. To help one breathe, they might also need to wear a face mask or nasal prongs. Depending on the patient's health and the procedure they underwent, they will recover differently at home. In order to track one’s recovery, they will also require ongoing care in the form of heart examinations and tests.

When recovering:

• Being exhausted and experiencing some pain are perfectly normal feelings.
• Follow the surgeon’s recommendations for wound care, and keep an eye out for indications of infection, such as redness or discharge, near the chest wound.
• Any potentially serious infection-related symptoms should be treated right away. Breathing issues, fever, and excessive perspiration are symptoms.

For more details on open heart surgery or mitral valve repair  in India, make an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad today at the prestigious Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. 

How does open-heart surgery differ from bypass surgery?

Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and congenital heart defects can require surgical interventions to treat and manage the condition. In some cases, medications, lifestyle changes, and other non-surgical interventions may be sufficient, but surgery may be necessary for more severe cases or when other treatments have failed. Open-heart surgery and bypass surgery are two common types of surgeries used to treat heart conditions. It is important to consult with a qualified cardiac specialist to determine the best course of treatment for any heart condition.

In this article, Dr. Sujay Shad, a leading heart surgeon in Delhi, discusses these differences and a successful heart surgery cost in Delhi. 

Open Heart Surgery

Open heart surgery is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the chest to access the heart. During the course, the patient is put under general anesthesia, and the heart is stopped for a period, allowing the cardiac surgeon to perform the necessary repairs or procedures. The heart-lung machine is used to take over the functions of the heart during this time.

Open heart surgery is commonly used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including:

• Coronary artery disease - when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to the heart.

• Heart valve disease - when the valves that regulate blood flow through the heart are not functioning correctly.

• Aortic aneurysms - when the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, becomes enlarged.

• Congenital heart defects - when the heart has structural abnormalities from birth.

 

The procedure involves making an incision in the chest and cutting through the breastbone to access the heart.

Once the heart is exposed, the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine that temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs. This allows the surgeon to work on the heart while it is not beating. During open heart surgery, the surgeon may perform various procedures, including:

1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) -This procedure involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, and using it to bypass a blocked or narrowed artery in the heart.
2. Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement - It is a procedure that involves repairing or replacing damaged heart valves. The mitral valve residing between the heart chambers is the important valve. It regulates the blood flow in both directions; as a result, leaky valves are pretty standard. This valve issue can be repaired. Visit Dr Sujay Shad for Mitral Valve repair in India.
3. Aortic Aneurysm Repair - It is a procedure that involves repairing or replacing the aorta.
4. Congenital Heart Defect Repair - It is a procedure that involves repairing the structural abnormalities of the heart.

Bypass Surgery

Bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is a surgical procedure for treating coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup. When this happens, the heart doesn't receive enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to chest pain, a heart attack, and other complications.

Bypass surgery involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, and using it to bypass the blocked or narrowed artery in the heart. This creates a new route for blood to flow to the heart, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of complications.

Bypass surgery is typically recommended for people with severe coronary artery disease who have not responded to other treatments, such as medication or lifestyle changes. The procedure can also be performed in an emergency, such as during a heart attack.

Key Differences between Bypass and Open Heart Surgery

While both open heart surgery and bypass surgery involve surgery on the heart, there are several key differences between the two procedures.

1. Indications: Open heart surgery can be used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, aortic aneurysms, and congenital heart defects. Bypass surgery, on the other hand, is typically used to treat severe coronary artery disease that has not responded to other treatments.
2. Technique: Open heart surgery involves making an incision in the chest and cutting through the breastbone to access the heart. Bypass surgery involves creating a new route for blood to flow to the heart by taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, and using it to bypass the blocked or narrowed artery in the heart. This procedure is typically used to treat severe coronary artery disease that has not responded to other treatments.
3. Type of heart condition to treat: Bypass surgery is primarily used to treat coronary artery disease, while open heart surgery can treat various heart conditions.

While both bypass surgery and open heart surgery involve surgery on the heart, they differ in the type of heart condition they treat, the technique used during the procedure, and the recovery time required. One cardiac surgeon will determine which procedure is best for the individual based on needs and conditions.

Cost of heart surgery in Delhi

The cost of heart surgery in Delhi, India, can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of procedure, the hospital or clinic where the procedure is performed, the surgeon's experience and qualifications, and the patient's overall health. So one needs to visit the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi for the best heart treatment.

The success rate of heart surgery in Delhi

Success rates for heart surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure and the patient's overall health, but Dr. Sujay Shad, who practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, reports success rates of over 90% for common procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and heart valve replacement.

Hopefully, this article has touched on all the significant aspects of bypass and open heart surgery. Book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad to learn more about the treatments and the exact heart surgery cost in Delhi.