What is an Open Heart Surgery? Its Types, Procedure & Costs

What is an Open Heart Surgery?

Gleneagles Global Hospital surgeons perform some of the most advanced medical procedures. Open heart surgery is one such procedure, in which the chest is cut open, and surgery is performed on the heart's muscles, valves, arteries or aorta.

Why do you need open heart surgery?

There are various reasons for open heart surgery. Open heart surgery operation is needed in the following conditions:

• Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, affect the rhythm of the heartbeat.
• Coronary artery disease. The coronary artery is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart. In this condition, the coronary artery is narrowed due to the build-up of waxy substances inside the arteries' walls. This obstructs the blood flow and may lead to severe complications.
• Congenital (by birth) heart defects include a heart hole and underdeveloped heart structures.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm. The aortic is the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. In this condition, the aortic wall is weakened, which widens the artery.
• Heart valve disease.
• Heart failure.

How is open heart surgery done?

The open heart surgery procedure is safe when performed under the hands of skilled surgeons. Open heart surgery is generally performed by following these basic steps.

• General anaesthesia is given to ensure patients do not experience pain during the surgery.
• The skilled surgeon will make a deep cut of 8 to 10 inches on the chest and cut through the breastbone to expose the heart.
• They connect the patient to a heart-lung bypass machine to prevent the blood from flowing into the heart. In some cases, surgery is performed without this machine.
• The surgeon then operates and corrects the defective parts of the heart.
• Restores the blood flow to the heart by removing the heart-lung bypass machine.
• Finally, the breastbone or other incisions are closed with a wire left inside the body, and the cuts are sutured.

What are the benefits of open heart surgery?

The potential benefits of open heart surgery include the following:

• Lowers death rate.
• Prolongs survival
• Reduces the risk of stroke.
• Reduces irregular heartbeat.

What are the risks of open heart surgery?

Heart surgery has become increasingly safer, with very low risk of complications. The risk of open heart surgery include:

• Blood clot.
• Bleeding.
• Herat attack or stroke.
• Infection at the site of cuts and wounds.
• Pneumonia.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Loss of memory.
• Chest pain.
• Lung or kidney failure.
• Allergic reactions to anaesthesia.

How to prepare for open heart surgery?

Preparations before open heart surgery are as necessary as the care required to recover after the surgery.

• Patients must inform the doctor about any drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbs they take.
• It is important to quit smoking two weeks before the surgery.
• The doctor may ask the patient to stop taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.
• Patients must inform doctors about alcohol addiction so they can help with alcohol withdrawal without any complications. Sudden discontinuation in an alcoholic can cause withdrawal symptoms. And may cause life-threatening complications after surgery, which include tremors and seizures.

Here are a few things patients can expect right before the open heart surgery:

• Chest X-rays.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG).
• Chest hair removal.
• An antimicrobial agent to sterilise the chest.

What to expect after open heart surgery?

• After open heart surgery, patients move to the hospital intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or longer. Subsequently, to a regular care room for the next three to seven days.
• An intravenous (IV) line is attached to the arm to supply the fluids and medications. Also, a catheter (thin tube) will be attached to the bladder to remove urine.
• A machine will be attached to monitor the heart.
• Nurses are on call if the need arises.
• During hospital discharge, the doctor will explain how to take care of incisions at home, with a recommended follow-up visit.

What is the cost of open heart surgery?

Gleneagles Global Hospitals is the best cardiac hospital that performs advanced surgeries using high-end technology and modern methods, including traditional bypass surgery, with a high success rate. The cost of open heart surgery depends on the condition of the patient and the type of open heart surgery performed. Depending on several factors, it can range between Rs. 1,50,000 and Rs. 5,50,000.

For an appointment with our experts, call (040) 2349 1000 or book an appointment at the best heart hospital in Hyderabad gleneaglesglobalhospitallakdikapul.com, Lakdi-ka-pul, - 500 004.

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