There are several surgeries that are classified as open heart surgeries.
Here, the basic steps of open heart surgery are reviewed.
You will not feel or be aware of anything happening during surgery.
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After you are asleep, the anesthesiologist will insert a tube down your throat into your airway.
Thisendotracheal tubeis connected to aventilatorthat breathes for you during surgery.
This tool allows the surgeon to monitor the function of the valves during surgery.
The breastbone will be separated and spread apart so that expose the heart.
These wires are then attached to apacemakeroutside your body.
- Muscle/skin closure:Muscles and skin are then closed with sutures.
A sterile bandage is applied over the large incision site.
After the Surgery
After surgery, you will be wheeled into apost-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
Nurses will monitor your vital signs carefully as you slowly wake up from anesthesia.
If you underwent a heart transplant, expect to begin takingimmunosuppressantsright away.
These medications prevent your body from rejecting your new heart.
Your stay may be longer if postoperative complications occur.
attempt to remain focused on preparing for the surgery and the healing process.
Educate yourself as much as possible and ask your surgical team lots of questions.
University of California San Francisco Department of Surgery.Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery.
Stanford HealthCare.During the CABG Procedure.
Cleveland Clinic.Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Heart Transplant Surgery: Preparation and Procedure.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Corrigan Minehan Heart Center.Guide to recovering from heart surgery.
Cleveland Clinic.Post Transplant Process & Recovery.
