Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
Coronary arteries are 1.5 to 2.5mm in diameter. When heart is beating, it is difficult to do surgery on such small blood vessels. Traditionally, bypass surgery is done after heart is stopped. During this time, blood is circulated using an artificial heart–lung machine. Now with the advent of newer devices, it is possible to do coronary artery bypass surgery without stopping heart. What method suits will be decided by the surgeon in the operating room.
Valve Replacement or Repair Surgery
There are 4 valves in heart which ensure smooth blood flow from one chamber to another chamber and that too only in forward direction. Some times they get diseased – resulting in either the narrowing of the valve causing obstruction to forward flow or the leakage of valve leading to the blood flowing in the reverse direction also. Commonly, valves on the left side (the mitral valve between the left upper and lower chambers, and the aortic valve between the left lower chamber and the aorta) are affected.
The common causes that affect valves are:
When they are affected, heart will not be able to pump adequate blood to other tissues in the body. If there is not adequate improvement with drugs, they may need surgery. Some times the surgeon may be able to repair the native valve releasing the obstruction or leak. If repair is possible, preserving native valve has its advantages. Some times that valve needs to be replaced by an artificial valve. Commonly one of the two artificial valves is used.
Know Your Heart
