Open-heart surgery is a major surgical procedure used to treat problems with the heart. It involves opening the chest to access the heart directly, allowing surgeons to repair or replace damaged structures, such as heart valves, arteries, or parts of the heart muscle. Although the term “open heart” might sound alarming, advances in modern medicine have made this surgery much safer and more effective than in the past. Moreover, most individuals spend only three to four days in the hospital. According to Hetal Patel, MD MBA FACS, board-certified thoracic and general surgeon at West Tennessee Healthcare, “Advances in heart surgery over the last decade have really revolutionized the patient experience, recovery, and outcomes. Our team at Jackson Madison County General Hospital strives to deliver competent, skillful and safe care to every individual we encounter”.
Why Open-Heart Surgery Is Done
Heart surgery is done for several serious heart conditions, including:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is the most common open-heart procedure for CAD.
- Heart valve disease: when one or more of the heart’s valves do not open or close properly, causing blood flow problems and heart failure if left untreated.
- Aortic aneurysm repair: to fix a weakened or bulging section of the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart.
- Congenital heart defects: structural problems in the heart present from birth.
- Heart transplantation: replacing a failing heart with a donor heart.
How the Procedure Works
During open-heart surgery, patients are put completely to sleep and specialized equipment is sometimes used to allow working on the heart safer and easier while preserving the bodies’ functions. Sometimes the heart is stopped depending on what particular procedure is being performed. A cut down the breast bone is created to access the heart; however, this is not always the case with some modern techniques. The surgeon performs the necessary repairs—such as bypassing blocked arteries or replacing valves. After the procedure, the heart is restarted, and the breastbone and incision are carefully closed.
Modern Alternatives
Today, many heart problems can be treated with minimally invasive or robot-assisted surgeries that require smaller incisions and shorter recovery times. Heart valves can be addressed without open heart surgery with transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR).
Another option for some patients is robotic heart surgery which can sometimes be done without a cut down the breastbone which makes recovery much quicker and simpler. According to Dr. Patel, “Robotic heart surgery is a gamechanger for patients in Jackson. This boutique surgery has allowed our team to care for a larger audience that may have not been candidates for traditional heart surgery in the past”.
Expert Care in West Tennessee
Open-heart surgery remains one of the most important and life-saving procedures in modern medicine. Though it is complex and requires a long recovery period, it can dramatically improve quality of life and survival for people with severe heart disease. With proper medical care and lifestyle changes, many patients go on to live long, active lives after surgery.
No matter the approach, West Tennessee Healthcare offers skilled surgeons that provide world class expert care close to home right here in Jackson, TN.
If you or a loved one needs heart surgery, please discuss with your doctor or schedule an appointment with one of our providers today.
