Open Heart Surgery

What is open heart surgery?

Open heart surgery is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease in certain circumstances. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle), caused by a buildup of fatty material within the walls of the arteries. This buildup causes the inside of the arteries to become rough and narrowed, limiting the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

One way to treat the blocked or narrowed arteries is to bypass the blocked portion of the coronary artery with another piece of blood vessel. This bypass of the blocked coronary artery can be done by performing open heart surgery.

Traditionally, in order to bypass the blocked coronary artery in this manner, the chest is opened in the operating room and the heart is stopped for a time so that the surgeon can perform the bypass. While the traditional open heart surgery is still performed and often preferred in many situations, newer, less invasive techniques have been developed to bypass blocked coronary arteries. “Off-pump” procedures, in which the heart does not have to be stopped, were developed in the 1990’s. Other minimally-invasive procedures, such as key-hole surgery (performed through very small incisions) and robotic procedures (performed with the aid of a moving mechanical device), are also in development.

Possible risks associated with open heart surgery include, but are not limited to, the following:

bleeding during or after the surgery
blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems
infection at the incision site
pneumonia
breathing problems
cardiac dysrhythmias/arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)

There may be other risks associated with open heart surgery depending upon your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician prior to the procedure.

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The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Related Topics:
Heart Attack
Heart Disease
Heart Surgery
Heart Procedures - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery

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