During open heart surgery, the chest is opened up to allow direct access to the heart so that the heart specialist can perform the surgery. Usually an incision 8 to 10 inches long is made to reach the heart. The length of the incision, on the other hand, is significantly dependent on the treatment. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, the best heart doctor in Faridabad gives an interesting insigts on the risks of open-heart surgery, what to do to prepare, and the required for recovery.

Heart Surgery Procedure:
The open heart procedure can take three to six hours and generally follows the basic steps:
  • The patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they are pain-free throughout the operation.
  • In the chest, an to 10 inch incision is made.
  • For direct access to the heart, an incision is made through all or part of the sternum.
  • A heart-lung machine is linked to the patient as soon as access to the heart is feasible. This device aids in the removal of blood from the heart, which is required during open heart surgery. However, this machine is not used in all cases. Today almost 98% of bypass surgeries are performed without a pump.
  • The surgeon will utilise a healthy vein or artery to create a new path around the obstructed artery.
  • The surgeon then closes the breastbone and removes the sewing wire from the body.
  • They finally sew the initial cut.
A sternum plate is used in high-risk patients after open cardiac surgery to seal the sternum using titanium plates. Patients who have had several procedures or who are old are generally thought to be at high risk.
Types:

Advances in medical science have introduced new techniques such as laparoscopic or minimally invasive procedures, although only a small percentage of patients are qualified to do so, open heart procedures are still used regularly to treat many heart conditions.

The following procedures are performed during open heart surgery:

  • Bypassing blocked arteries (bypass surgery).
  • Heart valve repair or replacement.
  • Closing holes in the heart (congenital heart defects)
  • Repairing heart vessels
  • Repairing damaged or abnormal areas in the heart
  • Performing heart transplants
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: CABG is the most common type of open heart surgery that is commonly performed on adult patients. This procedure is recommended for patients who have atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. This surgery uses a revascularization procedure that uses part of a healthy artery or blood vein from another part of the body to create a new passage around the clogged blood vessel. It restores the regular flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart in this way.
Non-Cardiopulmonary Bypass CABG: Non-cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, also known as “heartbeat” bypass surgery, is a surgical technique that allows the heart to continue beating during CABG surgery. This surgery lowers the problems associated with open heart surgery as well as the requirement for blood transfusions.
Recovery:
The amount of time it takes to recover varies from patient to patient. Patients are transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) as soon as possible after surgery to ensure that their stay in the ICU is no more than 23 days.
The patient is then transferred to the regular ward for another three days before being discharged on the sixth day.
Upon leaving the hospital, the patient is given detailed instructions on what to do and what not to do at home.
Precautions can be:
  • How to perform the breathing exercise.
  • The necessary daily water intake.
  • How to care for the incision/cut so that it heals faster.
It is always recommended to return to a normal routine after returning home. This aids in the healthy healing of the body.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, the best heart doctor in Faridabad not ony provides the best treatment, but also ensures efficient follow-up of the patient for a smooth recovery.