Cardiovascular Surgery
What is Cardiovascular Surgery?
Cardiovascular surgery is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the heart and circulatory system. This field involves surgical procedures on vital structures such as heart valves, coronary arteries, the aorta, and other major vessels.
Why is it done?
Cardiovascular surgery is used to treat a variety of heart and circulatory system problems:
- Coronary Artery Disease: Surgical treatment of blocked or narrowed coronary arteries (bypass surgery).
- Heart Valve Diseases: Repair or replacement of damaged or malfunctioning heart valves.
- Aneurysms and Vascular Diseases: Surgical treatment of conditions such as aortic aneurysms and the widening or rupture of other large blood vessels.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Surgical correction of heart anomalies present from birth.
- Heart Failure: Heart transplantation and other surgical interventions in cases of advanced heart failure.
Application Areas
Cardiovascular surgery encompasses a wide range of diseases and conditions:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): Bypassing blocked coronary arteries.
- Valve Repair and Replacement: Surgical repair or replacement of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves.
- Aortic Surgery: Treatment of aortic diseases such as aortic aneurysms, dissections, and coarctations.
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: Surgical procedures performed through small incisions shorten the patient's recovery time.
- Heart Transplant: Heart transplantation in cases of advanced heart failure.
- Congenital Heart Surgery: Surgical correction of congenital heart defects in children and adults.
Surgery Process
Consultation: Before surgery, you will have a detailed consultation with your doctor to learn about your health condition and treatment options.
Preparation: Necessary tests and examinations will be performed before the surgery. Your doctor will provide you with detailed information about the surgical procedure and preparations will be completed.
Anesthesia: General anesthesia will be administered depending on the type of surgery.
Surgical Procedure: Your surgeon will perform the prescribed surgery. The duration of the surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Recovery Process: After the surgery, you will be kept under observation in the hospital for a period of time. After discharge, it is important to follow the care and recovery process recommended by your doctor.
Results
Cardiovascular surgery can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life and eliminate life-threatening conditions. Regular post-surgical check-ups with your doctor and recommended lifestyle changes can help protect your cardiovascular health.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, cardiovascular surgery carries certain risks. These risks may include infection, bleeding, complications related to anesthesia, arrhythmia, and problems that may occur during the postoperative recovery process. Choosing an experienced and expert surgeon is important to minimize these risks.