Nowadays, there are various techniques that can successfully address different cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and heart valve surgery are among the most common treatments for heart diseases. However, cardiac surgeons can perform a variety of surgeries to address different cardiovascular diseases ranging from reconstructive surgery to heart transplant surgery.
From reconstructive surgery to heart transplant surgery, cardiac surgery is the key to managing numerous cardiac problems and significantly improving the patient’s quality of life.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
What is CABG?
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery repairs coronary artery narrowing; coronary bypass grafting surgery is intended to restore blood circulation.
When is CABG Recommended?
Coronary artery bypass grafting is indicated for patients with extensive coronary artery narrowing. The indication for coronary artery bypass grafting is established when any of the following statements apply: multicenter coronary artery narrowing, significant coronary artery narrowing, reduced systolic function of the left ventricle along with coronary artery narrowing, intolerance of pharmacological therapy, and a high risk of myocardial infarction. The indication for coronary artery bypass grafting is established taking into account coronary angiography and the general clinical picture of the patient.
Benefits of CABG Surgery
The benefits of CABG surgery include an improvement in the patient’s:
circulation;
workload capacity;
relief from angina;
risk of cardiac events;
survival.
Types of CABG Procedures
There are three types of CABG procedures:
conventional coronary artery bypass grafting;
off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting;
minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.
Heart Valve Surgery
What are the Heart Valve Problems?
The human heart has four valves that regulate blood circulation; however, heart valves can malfunction. The most common heart valve problems are aortic valve stenosis and insufficiency, mitral valve regurgitation and stenosis, tricuspid valve insufficiency, and rheumatic valve disease.
Types of Heart Valve Surgeries
Valve Repair Surgery
The valve repair surgery is the preferred method for treating heart valve diseases because it is technically less demanding, safe, and effective. Valve repair surgery is intended to eliminate the malfunction of the heart valve using one of the techniques available. One of the techniques for repairing the valve is leaflet and annulus remodeling, for example.
Valve Replacement Surgery
Valve replacement surgery is an alternative to valve repair surgery. Valve replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure but requires a long recovery. Valve replacement surgery is indicated when the repair is impossible; during the procedure, the surgeon removes the defective valve and replaces it with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. The type of prosthesis, mechanical or biological, to be used during the replacement procedure is selected individually for each patient based on age, lifestyle, and other factors. Thus, mechanical valves are durable but require anticoagulant therapy, while biological valves do not require further anticoagulant therapy but have a limited lifetime.
Benefits of Valve Surgery
The benefits of valve surgery include an improvement in the patient’s:
circulation;
reduction of fatigue and shortness of breath;
prevention of heart failure;
quality of life and the function of the heart.
Surgeries Beyond CABG and Heart Valves
The current era of cardiac surgery is characterized by a large number of minimally invasive procedures and treatments that can effectively manage a broad range of cardiovascular diseases. Besides the surgeries mentioned above, there are also aortic, congenital, and heart failure surgeries, among others. Let’s take a closer look at these cardiac procedures.
Aortic Surgery
Aortic surgery includes a group of surgical interventions that are designed to treat the aorta, a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body; thus, aortic diseases are complex and require professional intervention. The treatment of aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection, aortic dilation, and aortic valve disease falls under aortic surgery.
Congenital Heart Surgery
Congenital heart disease encompasses a wide range of heart problems that are present at birth or develop in early childhood; congenital heart defects may affect people of different ages since heart formation and remodeling can be disturbed at different stages of life. Fortunately, most congenital heart defects can be surgically treated. Atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and other diseases are examples of congenital heart diseases.
Heart Failure Surgery
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood adequately; there are a number of surgical interventions for treating heart failure, including heart transplant surgery, several specialized treatments, etc.
Heart Transplant Surgery
Heart transplant surgery is a procedure during which the patient’s failing heart is replaced with a donor heart; heart transplant surgery is a complex procedure with an extended postoperative recovery period and is indicated only in specific cases.
Arrhythmia Surgery
Arrhythmia surgery is a set of minimally invasive procedures that are designed to treat different heart rhythm problems; various treatments are available for patients with arrhythmia, for example, the Maze procedure for treating atrial fibrillation. Arrhythmia surgery allows the cardiologist to use a combination of treatments, such as cardiac ablation and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, to manage the patient’s condition. Arrhythmia surgery can be combined with other cardiac procedures.
Minimally Invasive and Advanced Cardiac Procedures
Minimally invasive procedures are indicated in the treatment of a broad range of cardiovascular diseases. Such procedures are usually safe and effective for patients; minimally invasive procedures are lighter on the body and associated with fewer complications; however, they are indicated only in specific cases.
Choosing the Right Cardiac Treatment
It is difficult to say which cardiac treatment is better because each heart disease has unique manifestations and should be treated individually; however, there are several general recommendations as to which treatment to choose. First of all, the choice of the treatment depends on the nature of the disease, the patient’s age, and the state of his health. The functional state of the heart, the presence of symptoms, tolerance to therapy, and the burden of the intervention are also important factors that must be taken into account. Thus, the optimal option for treating cardiovascular diseases is indicated by a doctor individually for each patient on the basis of the above factors.
Recovery After Heart Surgery
Medication, tests, and regular doctor visits, as well as cardiac rehabilitation, are integral parts of the post-operative period. In addition, the patient must make dietary and lifestyle changes for the sake of his health. These steps will allow the patient to recover after heart surgery and prevent future health problems.
Conclusion
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, heart valve surgery, and modern cardiac procedures are essential in the treatment of numerous cardiovascular diseases. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting helps to restore the circulatory system of the heart, and heart valve surgery treats the malfunction of the heart valves. In addition to these two procedures, there are many other surgeries for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart transplant surgery, aortic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and others. After receiving one of the cardiac treatments described above, the patient will be able to return to normal life after an appropriate convalescence period.
