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Most people who survive surgery have a life expectancy close to normal. Read more about the risks of aortic valve replacement. Alternatives to an aortic valve replacement. An aortic valve replacement is the most effective treatment for aortic valve conditions. Alternative procedures are usually only used if open heart surgery is too risky.
- Recovery
the activity of your heart, lungs and bodily functions will...
- Risks
Risks; Alternatives; Like any type of surgery, an aortic...
- What Happens
An aortic valve replacement is a major operation and will...
- Alternatives
Sutureless aortic valve replacement is the newest...
- Why It's Done
Risks; Alternatives; An aortic valve replacement is used to...
- Recovery
- Overview
- When is open-heart surgery needed?
- How is open-heart surgery performed?
- What are the risks of open-heart surgery?
- How to prepare for open-heart surgery
- What happens after open-heart surgery?
- Recovery, follow-up, and what to expect
- Long-term outlook for open-heart surgery
Open-heart surgery involves cutting open and performing surgery on the muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart. You can help minimize some risks through caring for yourself and your incision after surgery.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of heart surgery done on adults. During this surgery, a healthy artery or vein is grafted (attached) to a blocked coronary artery. This allows the grafted artery to “bypass” the blocked artery and bring fresh blood to the heart.
Open-heart surgery may be done to perform a CABG. A coronary artery bypass graft may be necessary for people with coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen to the heart muscle become narrow and hard. This is often called “hardening of the arteries.”
Hardening occurs when fatty material forms a plaque on the walls of the coronary arteries. This plaque narrows the arteries, making it difficult for blood to get through. When blood can’t flow properly to the heart, a heart attack may occur.
Open-heart surgery is also done to:
•repair or replace heart valves, which allow blood to travel through the heart
•repair damaged or abnormal areas of the heart
According to the National Institutes of Health, a CABG takes from three to six hours. It’s generally done following these basic steps:
•The patient is given general anesthesia. This ensures that they will be asleep and pain free through the whole surgery.
•The surgeon makes an 8- to 10-inch cut in the chest.
•The surgeon cuts through all or part of the patient’s breastbone to expose the heart.
•Once the heart is visible, the patient may be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine. The machine moves blood away from the heart so that the surgeon can operate. Some newer procedures do not use this machine.
•The surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to make a new path around the blocked artery.
Risks for open-heart surgery include:
•chest wound infection (more common in patients with obesity or diabetes, or those who’ve had a CABG before)
•heart attack or stroke
•irregular heartbeat
•lung or kidney failure
•chest pain and low fever
Tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking, even over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbs. Inform them of any illnesses you have, including herpes outbreak, cold, flu, or fever.
In the two weeks before the surgery, your doctor may ask you to quit smoking and stop taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about your alcohol consumption before you prepare for the surgery. If you typically have three or more drinks a day and stop right before you go into surgery, you may go into alcohol withdrawal. This may cause life-threatening complications after open-heart surgery, including seizures or tremors. Your doctor can help you with alcohol withdrawal to reduce the likelihood of these complications.
The day before the surgery, you may be asked to wash yourself with a special soap. This soap is used to kill bacteria on your skin and will lessen the chance of an infection after surgery. You may also be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight.
When you wake up after surgery, you will have two or three tubes in your chest. These are to help drain fluid from the area around your heart. You may have intravenous (IV) lines in your arm to supply you with fluids, as well as a catheter (thin tube) in your bladder to remove urine.
You will also be attached to machines that monitor your heart. Nurses will be nearby to help you if something should arise.
Incision care
Incision care is extremely important. Keep your incision site warm and dry, and wash your hands before and after touching it. If your incision is healing properly and there is no drainage, you can take a shower. The shower shouldn’t be more than 10 minutes with warm (not hot) water. You should ensure that the incision site isn’t hit directly by the water. It’s also important to regularly inspect your incision sites for signs of infection, which include: •increased drainage, oozing, or opening from the incision site •redness around the incision •warmth along the incision line •fever
Pain management
Pain management is also incredibly important, as it can increase recovery speed and decrease the likelihood of complications like blood clots or pneumonia. You may feel muscle pain, throat pain, pain at incision sites, or pain from chest tubes. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication that you can take at home. It’s important that you take it as prescribed. Some doctors recommend taking the pain medication both before physical activity and before you sleep.
Get enough sleep
Some patients experience trouble sleeping after open-heart surgery, but it’s important to get as much rest as possible. To get better sleep, you can: •take your pain medication a half hour before bed •arrange pillows to decrease muscle strain •avoid caffeine, especially in the evenings In the past, some have argued that open-heart surgery leads to a decline in mental functioning. However, most recent research has found that not to be the case. Though some patients may have open-heart surgery and experience mental decline later on, it’s thought that this is most likely due to the natural effects of aging. Some people do experience depression or anxiety after open-heart surgery. A therapist or psychologist can help you manage these effects.
Expect a gradual recovery. It may take up to six weeks before you start feeling better, and up to six months to feel the full benefits of the surgery. However, the outlook is good for many people, and the grafts can work for many years.
Nevertheless, surgery does not prevent artery blockage from happening again. You can help improve your heart health by:
•eating a healthy diet
•cutting back on foods high in salt, fat, and sugar
•leading a more active lifestyle
•not smoking
May 14, 2024 · Open heart surgery is a major operation that requires a hospital stay of a week or more. An individual will often spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) immediately after surgery.
- Markus Macgill
Heart surgery can be planned in advance or performed as part of emergency treatment. Heart surgery can help to maintain and prolong life by: restoring blood supply to the heart by opening – or replacing – blocked coronary arteries. stretching, repairing or replacing a damaged heart valve. correcting or regulating an abnormal heart rhythm.
Sep 25, 2024 · Open-heart surgery is a major procedure that usually involves opening the chest by cutting through the sternum, before temporarily stopping the heart. The surgery can have lasting effects on ...
Mar 15, 2024 · Open-heart surgery saves lives but may come with long-term side effects like chronic pain, issues concentrating, or anxiety. Proper aftercare and health-promoting habits can help minimize risks.
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Feb 6, 2023 · Death: The risk of death is increased in surgeries where the heart is stopped for the procedure. Blood Clots: Clots may form in and around the heart or travel through the bloodstream. Stroke: Often caused by clots that form in the blood after surgery. Blood Loss: In some cases, a transfusion may be necessary. Emergency Surgery: If a problem is ...
