Introduction
An open-heart surgery is a procedure done to open the heart for repairs. A heart-lung machine is used in the process to allow the surgeon to temporarily replace the work of the heart and lungs. An open-heart surgery is among the leading interventions for a number of heart diseases, plus restoring health and improving the patient’s quality of life. Thanks to the treatment and technologies, an open-heart surgery is currently one of the safest and most successful procedures for treating various heart conditions.
When Is Open-Heart Surgery Necessary?
An open-heart surgery is recommended “when conservative therapy or interventional cardiology is ineffective”. In addition, the surgeon suggests the intervention in the following cases:
Coronary artery disease (angioplasty or bypass grafting).
Heart valve disease.
Congenital heart disease.
Aortic aneurysms or other aortic diseases.
Heart failure (heart assist devices or transplantation).
Heart tumors or other cardiac anomalies.
Types of Open-Heart Surgery
Several types of open-heart surgeries are indicated for the listed diseases, including:
Bypass grafting: coronary, peripheral, or cerebrovascular bypass grafting.
Heart valve surgery: repair or replacement of faulty heart valves.
Surgery for congenital heart defects.
Aortic surgery.
Heart transplantation surgery: transplantation of the heart.
Preparation for Surgery
Prior to the intervention, certain tests are performed, including blood tests, an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, a chest X-ray, and coronary angiography. In addition, the surgeon will ask the patient about his medical history, medications, and allergies. In preparation for surgery, it is necessary to stop consuming alcohol and cigarettes, eat light meals, and fast for eight hours before anesthesia. The patient will receive information about the procedure and consent forms from the surgeon.
The Surgical Procedure
An open-heart surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient will not feel any pain and know about the procedure. The surgeon opens the chest to access the heart. To do this, a heart-lung machine is used, which takes over the functions of the heart and lungs. The heart stops beating so that the surgeon can access it. After the doctor has completed the necessary procedures, the heart is started, the breastbone is fixed with special clips, and the incision is sutured.
Recovery After Surgery
The patient begins to recover from anesthesia in the intensive care unit, where he is monitored for one or two days. Afterward, the patient is transferred to the hospital’s regular unit. On average, the patient is discharged five to seven days after the intervention. After he is discharged from the hospital, rehabilitative treatments (usually 6-12 weeks) are required for the body to recover. In addition, the doctor will prescribe a course of therapy and recommend what diet to follow and which physical exercises to do. After an open-heart surgery, patients must take drugs to improve their health. Moreover, it is essential for them to attend a rehabilitation program to return to normal life.
Possible Risks and Complications
An open-heart surgery is one of the safest and most effective treatments for heart diseases, but it is not devoid of complications and potential dangers. Among the most common post-operative effects are:
Post-operative bleeding.
Inflammatory reaction.
Blood clots.
Arrhythmia.
Infarction.
Renal failure.
Anesthesia complications.
The likelihood of each of these complications varies from case to case, but in general, this type of intervention is one of the safest and has relatively few complications. Moreover, the risks can be minimized if the patient is in good health and the surgeon who performs the operation is experienced.
Lifestyle after Open-Heart Surgery
After an open-heart surgery, the patient has to make changes in his lifestyle to prevent the recurrence of the disease and the need for a second operation. First of all, it is necessary to eat healthy foods and do regular exercises. It is also important to take care of the body: give up harmful habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, maintain an average weight, and reduce the level of stress. After surgery, patients need to be under the supervision of a cardiologist and take medicine. Attending a rehabilitation program will help them return to their daily activities.
Conclusion
An open-heart surgery is indicated for many heart diseases and is one of the safest and most effective methods to improve the function of the heart. Despite the potential risks, this intervention is one of the most common and safest today due to the developed technologies and the efforts of scientists. Preparing for an open-heart surgery, post-operative rehabilitation, and the intervention itself are all significant stages for the patient. However, the doctor will give advice about further actions and tell how to behave to alleviate the consequences after the operation and strengthen the body. After an open-heart surgery, the patient will be able to enjoy life, work and return to normal life.
