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Heart Surgery Overview

Heart surgery, also known as cardiac orcardiothoracic surgery, includes many differenttypes of surgical procedures to correct many types of conditions and damage caused bydisease, heart attack, and strokes. Procedures designed to widen narrowed arteries, or

pacemakers that are used to help control abnormal heart rhythms as well as proceduresthat help to insure adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle all fall underthe scope of cardiac surgery.

Common Cardiac Procedures

Coronary artery bypass surgery

Heart Valve Replacement surgery

Angioplasty

Pacemaker procedures

Heart transplantation

Examples of Cardiac Procedures and Treatments

When discussing any type of cardiac surgery or procedure, it should be understood thateach individual offers unique circumstances or conditions that may present slightlydifferent complications or the use of specific procedural techniques. The overviewsoffered within this article for different types of cardiac procedures and surgeries are basicguidelines that will help to describe the common methods used and employed for varioustypes of procedures.

Heart valve surgery is a treatment procedure that repairs or replaces diseased ormalfunctioning heart valves. People with disease complications that destroy or distortvalves in the heart are candidates for this type of surgery. Advancements in techniquesand mechanical heart valves have made this type of procedure one of the most commonin the areas of cardiac treatments. Diagnostic testing allows a cardiologistto determinethe extent of valve damage as well as its precise location within the heart muscle. Thereare several different types of heart valve surgery, including procedures that repairdamaged heart valves as well as replace them. In most cases, mechanical or prostheticheart valves are used to replace faulty valves.

Angioplasty is a procedure that is also known as balloon angioplasty. It is generally used

on people whose arteries, either leading to the heart or supplying the heart muscle itself,have become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of plaque. The procedure restores bloodflow through the damaged artery. The surgeon inserts a thin tube through the arm to thelocation of the damaged artery. Once the tube is in place, the doctor inflates a balloonattached to it, which helps to push and break up built up plaque. This allows the artery towiden as well is to restore blood flow.

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Coronary artery bypass surgery is performed on those whose arteries that supplyoxygen and blood to the heart muscle become narrowed and hardened through high bloodpressure, high cholesterol or other medical conditions and lifestyle habits, like smoking.Coronary artery bypass surgery employs the use of a section of vein or artery, typicallyfrom the leg, to bypass the damaged portion of artery above and below an area of

blockage. A person can have one or several arteries bypassed during the same surgicalprocedure.

Pacemakers are small electronic or battery-operated device that are placed underneaththe skin of the abdomen or chest to help control abnormal heart rhythms. A pacemakerpulses electrical currents that prompt the heart to beat at a normal pace. They aregenerally used to treat people who have heart rhythms that are irregular, or too fast orslow. The pacemaker is in essence a battery or "generator" that contains wire electrodeson one end. Wires connect the heart with this generator and sense of electrical pulses thehelp to correct and regulate heart rhythm.

Heart transplantation is a procedure that replaces the entire heart muscle. Typicallyused as a last resort medical procedure, a healthy heart is donated by someone recentlydeceased. The procedure requires precise timing to ensure that the donor heart tissuesremain healthy prior to transplantation. The hart transplant candidate will be evaluatedfor suitability depending on other bodily system evaluations and health factors.

Benefits of cardiac surgeries and procedures

Because healthy cardiac health is vital for life, the benefits of surgeries and procedures tohelp restore optimal function of all aspects of the heart muscle are endless. However, aswith any type of surgery, there are risks involved, and cardiac surgery options andprocedures need to be carefully evaluated by both patient and physician to determine themost optimal prognosis.

Anyone suffering from clogged or blocked arteries, irregular heartbeats or conditions thatlead to damage of the heart muscle or blood flow to or from the heart will benefit fromvarious heart procedures, treatments or surgical procedures.

Cost of cardiac procedures

Depending on the type of procedure or surgery that is performed, cardiac surgeries willhave widely differing price ranges. However, they are among the most expensive surgicalprocedures performed in the United States. For example, the cost of angioplasty canrange from $3,000 to $7,000, and coronary bypass surgery can cost up to $20,000 for onebypass, more if additional bypasses are required. A heart transplant can cost over$150,000!

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Finding a Cardiac Surgeon

Cardiac surgeons must meet basic requirements and training for certification in variouscardiac fields and techniques, as well as specialties. A cardiac surgery resident may standanywhere from five to ten years training to become a fully qualified surgeon in cardiacsurgery and procedures. Cardio thoracic surgeons typically complete a five-year generalsurgery residency, followed by two to three years of specialization in cardiothoracicsurgeries. Various licensing boards that certify surgeons in cardiac surgery as well assubspecialties differ per country of origin. When looking for qualified cardiac surgeons inany country, look to national and statewide boards, associations, and memberships inspecific cardiovascular specialties.