How Many Types of Open Heart Surgery
Open heart surgery is a type of surgery in which the surgeon makes a large incision in the center of the chest to open the chest, access the heart, and perform the procedure. There are many types of open heart surgery, and each is performed according to the patient's needs and suitability.
It is not necessary to perform open heart surgery against every condition or disease of the heart. Some conditions can be managed by medications or by changing the lifestyle of patients. However, in some severe conditions like heart failure and coronary artery disease, it is important to perform open heart surgery. Some cardiac surgery types are as follows:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation
- Heart Transplantation
- Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation
Explain all Types of Heart Surgery Procedures
Each open heart surgery procedure is performed in a specific condition or according to the suggestion of a skilled healthcare professional. Only some patients are suitable for each type of surgery. For this reason, the surgeon and team evaluate the patient's condition to decide the most appropriate surgery according to each patient. Some of the types of open heart surgery procedures are defined below:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) : This surgery is commonly performed to treat coronary artery disease. This procedure treats the blocked coronary artery by bypassing the damaged portion. The new blood vessel used in the bypass is obtained from other parts of the body, usually the chest, leg, or arm. It is helpful to make a new path for the flow of blood around the narrowed coronary artery that allows the blood to flow more freely to the muscles of the heart.
Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery : This procedure is done to repair or replace damaged or diseased heart valves. In valve repair procedure, the surgeon fixes a valve without removing it, while in valve replacement surgery, the damaged valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. This surgery is often necessary for conditions such as mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, or mitral regurgitation.
Aortic Aneurysm Repair : Aortic aneurysm repair is performed to treat an enlargement or bulge in the aorta. In this type of open surgery, the weakened section of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft. It is often performed with other open heart surgeries.
Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation : This surgical procedure treats atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the heartbeat becomes irregular. During the maze procedure, a series of incisions are made in the upper chambers of the heart to create scar tissue. This scar tissue disrupts abnormal electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation and helps to restore the normal rhythm of the heart.
Heart Transplantation : Heart transplantation is a surgical procedure where a diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. It is typically considered for patients with end-stage heart failure or other severe heart conditions that cannot be effectively treated with non-surgical treatments or other open heart surgeries.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation : A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump implanted inside the chest to help a weakened heart in pumping blood to the rest of the body. It is often used as a temporary treatment for patients awaiting heart transplantation or as a long-term treatment for patients who are not suitable for heart transplantation. In VAD implantation, the surgeon attaches the device to the heart and blood vessels.
All these open heart surgeries are only performed when it is the most suitable option and patients can bear it. Weak patients are usually not ideal for such complicated procedures.
What is the Most Serious Open-Heart Surgery?
The most severe open heart surgery involves heart transplantation and coronary artery bypass grafting. In these procedures, a heart is stopped temporarily to perform the procedure, and the patient is on a heart-lung bypass machine, which performs the function of the heart and lungs for some time. It is associated with many risks and complications, but skilled surgeons perform the procedure with minimal chances of complications.
Which Heart Surgery is Best?
Different types of open heart surgery are available, but Heart surgery is decided according to the condition and requirements of each patient. No surgery is the best for all types of patients. If you are suffering from heart disease, your healthcare provider and his team perform several tests on you and then consult with you to choose the best possible option of open heart surgery for you.
Healthcare professionals provide individualized treatment according to the needs of each patient. For example, a heart transplant is the best heart surgery for a patient with end-stage heart disease. On the other hand, valve repair surgery is best for the patient suffering from the damaged valve disease of the heart.
Conclusion
There are different types of cardiac surgery, and each type of open heart surgery procedure is performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Each patient has a unique kind of disease, so healthcare professionals plan open heart surgery after consulting with each patient.
FAQ's on Different Types of Open Heart Surgery
What is the New Method of Open-Heart Surgery?
The most advanced type of heart surgery is minimally invasive, and it is performed according to the suitability of patients.
What is the Most Common Open-Heart Surgery?
Coronary artery bypass grafting, or CABG, is the most common type of open heart surgery.
How Successful is Open-Heart Surgery?
Open heart surgery is very successful and has 92 to 97% success rates.
What is the Safest Heart Surgery?
Mitral valve repair surgery is the safest surgery and possesses a success rate of 99%.
What is the Age Limit for Open-Heart Surgery?
Open heart surgery can be performed in both newborn and old age patients with age less than 75 years.
What are the Top 5 Major Open Heart Surgeries?
The top 5 major open heart surgeries include Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery, Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Transplantation.
Can You Live a Full Life after Open-Heart Surgery?
In the recovery phase, there are some restrictions, but after complete recovery, patients can live up to 20 years or more.
