The heart (or cardiac system) is the principal primary pump of your body and its job being to pump and circulate oxygenated blood to your body and deoxygenated blood to the lungs for removal. The heart can be affected by developmental anomalies at birth, blockage of the vessels to the heart or by cardiac tumors as well. These cardiac defects are therefore referred to as congenital (present at birth) heart defects. Any of the above-mentioned conditions could be possible indications for heart surgery.
What are the cardiac surgical procedures ?
A lesser invasive procedure like Coronary Angioplasty is done to recover the impaired blood supply to the cardiac muscle. A balloon (initially deflated) is used to increase the width of the artery in the blocked area by inflation, and a stent can be used to make it stay wide. This is done in relatively fewer, initial and early blockages- say just one or two arteries. Open Heart Surgery on the other hand is a major surgical procedure, and is done to repair congenital birth defects such as Atrial Septal Defect, Ventricular Septal Defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the great vessels, Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Coarctation of Aorta to
name a few.
What is minimally invasive heart surgery ?
In minimally invasive heart surgery, cardiac or heart surgeons perform the surgery through small incisions in the right side of your chest, rather than cutting through the breastbone. It is a good alternative to open-heart surgery as the tissue damage and therefore recovery time is shortened. So instead of cutting the breastbone (sternotomy), they operate through the ribs which cause less pain and a hastened recovery.
When is minimally invasive heart surgery indicated ?
Minimally invasive heart surgery can be done in order to treat certain heart conditions such as:
- Heart Valve Repair and Replacements
- Congenital Heart and Septal Defects
- Surgeries for atrial fibrillation
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
What is the technique for minimally invasive heart surgery ?
In minimally invasive surgery, your heart surgeon may have an improved view of some parts of your heart than in open-heart surgery. As in open heart surgery, some minimally invasive heart surgery procedures may require stopping your heart temporarily and diverting blood flow from your heart using a heart-lung bypass machine. Any cardiac surgical procedure is performed under the influence of general anesthesia mostly and requires a dedicated change in lifestyle and rehabilitative exercises to help recover full heart function. Cardiac surgeons work very closely with cardiologists in diagnosing and making the treatment plan for heart problems.
What are the potential benefits for minimally invasive heart surgery ?
It is not recommended for all, but when it is recommended, probable benefits of minimally invasive heart surgery compared with open-heart surgery include the following.
- Less blood loss and tissue injury
- Lesser risk of infection
- Decreased trauma and pain
- Lesser time in the hospital, faster recovery and quicker return to normal activities
- Less significant, less noticeable scars
How to find and reach minimally invasive heart surgery specialists ?
Now you can find and reach multiple minimally invasive heart surgery specialists from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple minimally invasive heart surgery specialists, compare things and then choose a minimally invasive heart surgery specialist for your heart surgery.
Find, reach and choose a minimally invasive heart surgery specialist for your heart surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.