Cardiac surgery is a medical procedure indicated for the treatment of heart disease or blood vessels connected to the heart, such as infarction, arrhythmias or aortic aneurysm, for example.
This surgery allows the cardiovascular surgeon to improve cardiac functioning and blood flow from and to the heart, being done in the hospital.
There are different techniques that can be used by the doctor to perform cardiac surgery, which varies according to the condition to be treated, and in some cases it can be done as an emergency treatment.
So that Serve
Cardiac surgery serves to improve the functioning of the heart, restore blood flow from and to the heart or normalize the electrical impulses in the heart.
In addition, cardiac surgery also serves to correct anatomical heart defects, such as cardiac valve or arterial valve problems, for example.
Cardiac surgery is performed by the cardiovascular surgeon, after indicating the cardiologist.
Make an appointment with the cardiologist in the region closest to you:
When it is indicated
Cardiac surgery can be indicated for:
- Infarction or coronary artery disease;
- Heart failure;
- Cardiac arrhythmias;
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm or ventricular aneurysm;
- Diseases that affect cardiac valves (valvulopathies).
In addition, cardiovascular surgery can be indicated for the treatment of tumors in the heart.
Also read: Heart: Functions, where it is and the most common problems
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Pediatric heart surgery
Baby cardiac surgery, as well as children, can be indicated when the child who is born with some heart malformation.
This surgery requires a lot of caution and should be performed by specialized professionals and is sometimes the best way to save the child’s life.
Also read: Congenital heart disease: what is, symptoms, types and treatment
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How to prepare
To prepare for cardiac surgery, the doctor should request tests that evaluate the heart, as well as surgical risk. See the main tests for the heart.
In addition, the doctor may recommend disrupting the use of anticoagulants a few days before surgery to avoid excessive bleeding or bleeding.
The day before heart surgery, the doctor should recommend absolute fasting of 8 to 10 hours.
Also read: Surgical risk: what is and how it is done
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How it is done
Cardiac surgery is performed by the cardiovascular surgeon in the hospital with general anesthesia.
1. Open cardiac surgery
Open heart surgery is performed by the doctor as follows:
- Anesthesia apply general;
- Make a cut in the middle of the chestand saw the sternum bone to gain access to the heart;
- Perform the procedure in the heart or blood vessels or transplant the heart, which varies with the condition being treated;
- Close the chestwith special sutures to bring the sternum closer and give points to the skin of the chest;
- Curse no local.
After completing the surgery, the person is transferred to the ICU for constant monitoring, starting recovery.
2. Minimally invasive heart surgery
Minimally invasive heart surgery is also done with small chest cuts of about 4 cm.
Through these cuts, the doctor inserts a tube that contains a microcamera inside and surgical instruments to perform surgery.
This type of surgery allows a faster recovery than open heart surgery.
3. Robotic cardiac surgery
Robotic cardiac surgery is another minimally invasive surgery, where the doctor manipulates the arms of a robot to perform the procedure in the heart.
In this type of surgery, the camera inserted in the small cut has a better definition and 3D, being viewed by the doctor more clearly.
Cardiac Surgery Types
The main types of cardiac surgery are:
- Myocardial revascularization, also known as the saphenous bridge or bypass cardiac;
- Repair or replacement of the heart valve;
- Insertion of implantable pacemaker or defibrillator;
- Correction of congenital heart disease;
- Repair of aneurysms;
- INSERTION OF VENTRICULAR ASSISTANCE DEVICE OR Total Artificial Heart.
In addition, another type of heart surgery is heart transplantation, where the sick heart is replaced by the healthy heart of a compatible donor. Learn when heart transplantation, risks and complications are done.
Recovery of cardiac surgery
The recovery of cardiac surgery depends on the type of surgery that was performed by the doctor.
If the cardiologist opted for minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the recovery time is shorter, and the person may return to work in about 1 month.
However, if open surgery has been performed, recovery time can reach 60 days.
Also read: 6 tips for recovering faster from surgery
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Care after surgery
After surgery the person should follow some doctor’s guidelines to avoid complications and accelerate the recovery process, such as:
1.
The dressing of surgery should be exchanged for the nursing staff after bathing. When the person is discharged home, he is already without the bandage.
It is also recommended to take a shower and use neutral liquid soap to wash the surgery region, and dry the area with a clean towel and wear clean clothes and front buttons to make it easier to put on the clothes.
2. Intimate contact
Intimate contact should only occur after 30 to 60 days of cardiac surgery, according to the type of surgery performed, as it may change the heartbeat.
3. General Care
After heart surgery it is prohibited postoperatively to make effort, drive, carry weight, sleep down, smoke and consume alcohol.
After surgery it is normal to get your legs swollen, so it is recommended to perform light hiking daily and avoid sitting a long time. In some cases, the doctor may recommend the use of compression socks.
Also read: Compression socks: what they serve and when not using
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When at rest, it is advisable to support the feet on the pillow and keep them high.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the cardiologist when one or more of the following symptoms arise:
- Fever greater than 38ºC;
- Chest pain;
- Shortness of breath or dizziness;
- Sign of infection in the incisions (pus output);
- Very swollen or painful legs.
Cardiac surgery is a type of heart treatment that can be done to repair damage to the heart itself, in the arteries linked to it, or for its replacement of this organ.
Cardiac surgery can be done at any age, with higher risk of complications in the elderly.
Source: www.tuasaude.com