Why Surgery?
There are various reasons for undergoing heart surgery; the two main reasons are usually disease of the coronary arteries and disease of the heart
valves. You can, however, be sure that the decision in each individual case to undergo heart surgery is considered the best and safest treatment by your Cardiologist and Cardiac Surgeon.
What is coronary artery disease?
Narrowing of the coronary artery reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to angina and heart attacks.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The main benefits of surgery for most patients are to relieve angina, to improve energy levels and to prevent further heart attacks. Some patients may live longer with surgery.
What does the operation involve?
A cut is made down the front of your chest, through the breast bone (sternum). You will be connected to a heart-lung machine, which allows the heart to be still during the operation. For each coronary artery that needs a bypass, a length of blood vessel is taken from elsewhere in your body, usually a vein from the leg or an artery from your arm or chest. The blood vessel is then used to bypass the blockage and so restore a good blood supply to your heart. You will then be disconnected from the heart-lung machine and your own heart takes over again. The wound is closed with wires and stitches. Some bypass operations are also performed without using a heart-lung machine and the heart continues to beat. The hope is for a faster recovery and return to work.
What can I do to help make to operation a success?
If you smoke, try to stop smoking now. There is strong evidence that stopping smoking several weeks or more before a general anaesthetic reduces your chances of getting complications. It will also reduce the risk of further disease after the operation. If you are overweight, losing weight will reduce your chances of developing complications.
There are various reasons for undergoing heart surgery; the two main reasons are usually disease of the coronary arteries and disease of the heart
valves. You can, however, be sure that the decision in each individual case to undergo heart surgery is considered the best and safest treatment by your Cardiologist and Cardiac Surgeon. What is coronary artery disease?
Narrowing of the coronary artery reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to angina and heart attacks.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The main benefits of surgery for most patients are to relieve angina, to improve energy levels and to prevent further heart attacks. Some patients may live longer with surgery.
What does the operation involve?
A cut is made down the front of your chest, through the breast bone (sternum). You will be connected to a heart-lung machine, which allows the heart to be still during the operation. For each coronary artery that needs a bypass, a length of blood vessel is taken from elsewhere in your body, usually a vein from the leg or an artery from your arm or chest. The blood vessel is then used to bypass the blockage and so restore a good blood supply to your heart. You will then be disconnected from the heart-lung machine and your own heart takes over again. The wound is closed with wires and stitches. Some bypass operations are also performed without using a heart-lung machine and the heart continues to beat. The hope is for a faster recovery and return to work.
What can I do to help make to operation a success?
If you smoke, try to stop smoking now. There is strong evidence that stopping smoking several weeks or more before a general anaesthetic reduces your chances of getting complications. It will also reduce the risk of further disease after the operation. If you are overweight, losing weight will reduce your chances of developing complications.
Valve Surgery
Within the heart there are four valves which ensure that the blood flows in one direction and is unrestricted. The valves can become damaged or diseased and their normal function is disturbed, they may obstruct the blood flow or become 'leaky'. These abnormalities place an increasing strain on the heart, which the patient may recognise as tiredness or breathlessness. the damaged heart valve may be detected by a doctor in the form of a heart murmur. However, damage may also be present even though the patient has no symptoms.
In some patients only one of the four valves is affected, in other patients surgery may be required for two or even three affected valves. The names of the heart valves most commonly affected on the 'left side' of the heart are the mitral valve and the aortic valve.
If your heart valve cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced, the diseased valve can be replaced with either a mechanical or biological (tissue) artificial valve.
Mechanical Valves
These are made of artificial substances, containing carbon and steel. This type of valve requires you to take anticoagulant pills (blood thinning tablets) for the rest of your life (usually warfarin). This is to prevent blood clots forming on the artificial surfaces of the valve, and these clots if formed could dislodge and then travel to the brain causing a stroke.
Tissue Valves
These valves are constructed from either pig valves (porcine) or the lining around the heart from calves (pericardium). These tissues are treated with substances which preserve the tissue. If you have a tissue valve you may only have to take warfarin for up to three months. However, these valves eventually wear out and may have to be replaced in the future, possibly after 20 years.
If you are having your valve replaced you must visit your dentist prior to your operation. This is because any infection in the teeth or gums can spread to the new valve and cause complications. It is also important for you to see your dentist regularly for a check up after your operation, preferably every 6 to 12 months for the rest of your life. If you are overweight, losing weight will reduce your chances of developing complications.
Within the heart there are four valves which ensure that the blood flows in one direction and is unrestricted. The valves can become damaged or diseased and their normal function is disturbed, they may obstruct the blood flow or become 'leaky'. These abnormalities place an increasing strain on the heart, which the patient may recognise as tiredness or breathlessness. the damaged heart valve may be detected by a doctor in the form of a heart murmur. However, damage may also be present even though the patient has no symptoms.
In some patients only one of the four valves is affected, in other patients surgery may be required for two or even three affected valves. The names of the heart valves most commonly affected on the 'left side' of the heart are the mitral valve and the aortic valve.
If your heart valve cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced, the diseased valve can be replaced with either a mechanical or biological (tissue) artificial valve.
Mechanical Valves
These are made of artificial substances, containing carbon and steel. This type of valve requires you to take anticoagulant pills (blood thinning tablets) for the rest of your life (usually warfarin). This is to prevent blood clots forming on the artificial surfaces of the valve, and these clots if formed could dislodge and then travel to the brain causing a stroke.
Tissue Valves
These valves are constructed from either pig valves (porcine) or the lining around the heart from calves (pericardium). These tissues are treated with substances which preserve the tissue. If you have a tissue valve you may only have to take warfarin for up to three months. However, these valves eventually wear out and may have to be replaced in the future, possibly after 20 years.
If you are having your valve replaced you must visit your dentist prior to your operation. This is because any infection in the teeth or gums can spread to the new valve and cause complications. It is also important for you to see your dentist regularly for a check up after your operation, preferably every 6 to 12 months for the rest of your life. If you are overweight, losing weight will reduce your chances of developing complications.
