Heart Surgeries

Recently Answered

• QHow will I feel after an angioplasty and stenting procedure?

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  A SCAI answered

  Before you leave the hospital after angioplasty, be sure to discuss what you can expect with your doctor, as your recovery will depend on the extent of your procedures and your physical condition. The list below can give you a sense of what is normal after angioplasty and stenting and what might require emergency attention.
  
  After an interventional procedure, it is normal to:

  • Have a bruise or discolored area near where the catheter was inserted. At the same site, there may also be a small lump (which should not get bigger), soreness when pressure is applied and perhaps a small amount (one or two drops) of discharge.
  • Feel more tired than usual for several days. If your intervention was performed while you were having a heart attack, feelings of tiredness will last longer - perhaps as long as six weeks, the time it takes for healing after an attack. If you had an elective procedure, it might take a few days to get your energy back.

  When to call the doctor:

  • If you feel chest pain like you felt before the procedure or during it when the balloon catheter was inflated in your artery. Some patients have chest pain lasting one to two seconds. Typically, they say it feels different from the pain they felt before the procedure. These brief pains are often muscular and are not related to the heart.
  • If the puncture wound in your leg or arm gets bigger, turns red, drains a thick yellow/brown material or is painful, even when no pressure is applied. A larger, painful lump may be a sign that the puncture hole is not healing properly or is leaking blood.
  • If you have fever.
  • If you experience swelling - with or without pain - anywhere in the leg in which the catheter was inserted.

  When to call 911 or go to the hospital:

  • If you have chest pain that lasts 15 to 20 minutes, call 911 and tell the emergency operator that you may be having a heart attack.

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• QWho is a candidate for aortic valve replacement?

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  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  A person with an aortic valve that is severely diseased or dysfunctional, meaning the valves can fail, is a candidate for aortic valve replacement. In fact, the basis of consideration of getting a valve replacement is determined on if the valve is severely dysfunctional and doesn’t open and/or close properly. Valves function like a doorway, and all the aortic valve does is open up and close so that the blood goes in where it should and in the direction that it should. The aortic valve is the last doorway before the blood leaves the left side of the heart. It's sort of a big, main pumping chamber for the entire body other than the lungs. If the valve isn't opening correctly, you can imagine what a problem that would cause for people. If the valve doesn't close normally, then when the blood gets ejected out of the heart, a lot of it can regurgitate or leak backwards. Another thing to consider during valve replacement is whether the dysfunctional valve is causing somebody symptoms or a problem that disrupt everyday activities, such as not feeling well or difficulty breathing. The other thing that can happen is the body can fill up with fluid, causing heart failure. 

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

• QWhat is aortic valve replacement surgery?

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  A CTSurgeryPatients.org answered

  Aortic valve replacement surgery, or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon, involves making an incision in the chest in order to get to the heart and aortic valve. The heart is stopped, during which time the blood pressure and oxygen levels are maintained with a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass). The aorta is opened and the diseased valve removed. It is then replaced with an artificial valve (prosthesis).

  There are two valve options for aortic valve replacement (AVR) -- mechanical valves (metal) or biological valves (tissue).

  The principal advantage of mechanical valves is their durability -- they do not wear out. However, blood tends to clot on mechanical valves, so people must take blood thinning medication (anticoagulants) for the rest of their lives. There is also a small risk of stroke due to blood clotting.

  Biological valves are most commonly made from animal tissue. Biological valves are less likely to cause blood clots, but they also are less durable than mechanical valves and may need to be replaced in the future.

  There are two different surgical approaches that can be utilized: traditional AVR or minimally invasive.

  During traditional AVR, the cardiothoracic surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch incision down the center of the breastbone (sternum) to open the chest, providing direct access to the heart. In minimally invasive surgery, the cardiothoracic surgeon makes a 2- to 4-inch, J-shaped incision that opens part of the chest. This can potentially reduce the hospital stay.

  This content originally appeared online in "The Patient Guide to Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery" from the Society of Thoracic Surgery.

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• QWhat are the risks of aortic valve replacement surgery?

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  A Dr. Craig R. Smith, MD , Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular), answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

  

  Traditional aortic valve replacement carries all the dangers of open-heart surgery; in TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), your chest isn't cracked, but this procedure isn't risk-free either. Check out this video with Dr. Craig Smith, a cardiothoracic surgeon, to learn why TAVI carries a small threat of stroke.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  Dr. Craig Smith - What Are the Risks of Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?
  Buy DVD

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• QWhat are some minimally invasive heart procedures?

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  A Northside Hospital answered

  Some minimally invasive heart procedures include the widespread use of angioplasty, or stenting procedures by cardiologists.

• QHow should I prepare for my heart surgery?

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  Before your surgical procedure, you will receive a prescription for an antibiotic ointment that should be started five days prior to surgery. This ointment is a safety measure to help prevent infection. Make sure that you follow the instructions that come with the prescription.

  You are required to shower or take a bath on the day prior to surgery both in the morning and at night and again the morning of your surgery, before coming to the hospital. Specialized bathing should be performed a total of three times, following these instructions:

  A special antibacterial liquid soap should be applied with a clean washcloth and lathered over the entire body, with an emphasis on the operative sites (chest wall in the front and legs) as well as your scalp, around the nose, armpits, navel and genital areas. After washing, rinse thoroughly. Repeat the process three times at each bathing. Dry with a clean bath towel.

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• QWho is a good candidate for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)?

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  A St. Mark's Hospital answered

  Inoperable and high-risk patients are candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

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• QWhy should I enroll in a cardiac rehabilitation program?

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  All heart surgery patients should enroll in a cardiac rehabilitation program close to home. These programs are arranged by your cardiologist; ask your cardiologist if a rehab program is right for you. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to monitor a patient’s return to physical activity post-surgery and provide the tools needed to lead a heart-healthy life. Cardiac rehabilitation programs include weight management, smoking cessation and emotional support groups. Patients should check with their insurance company about specific coverage for cardiac rehabilitation.

  The main goals of cardiac rehabilitation include:

  • increased mobility
  • increased muscle strength and endurance
  • improved physical well-being and health
  • prevention of worsening of a condition
  • instructions to continue your therapy program at home and prevent further injury
• QWhen can I go back to work after aortic surgery?

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  A Columbia University Department of Surgery answered

  Going back to work after aortic surgery is an individual decision. The stress of surgery, the medications given and the interruption of normal sleep patterns all require a bit of time to resolve. If your occupation requires important decision-making but not physical labor, three weeks off is usually enough. For those of you who need to do physical labor, six weeks off is necessary. If you are entitled to medical leave, it is generally advisable to take one month off from work.

• QWhen can I go back to my normal activities after heart surgery?

  2 Answers

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  The sternum, or breastbone, may have been cut during surgery and will take up to 12 weeks or more to heal. You must carefully follow all instructions as prescribed by your care team. A physical therapist will give you exercises that will help alleviate stiffness due to inactivity.

  The following precautions will ensure that the sternum is properly aligned and heals correctly:

  • Do not raise both of your arms over your head at the same time.
  • Do not reach behind your back with both hands at the same time.
  • Do not lift more than five to ten pounds.
  • Do not push, pull or lift heavy objects.
  • Avoid pulling yourself out of bed by the bedrails.
  • Avoid pushing yourself up from the armrests of a chair.
  • Avoid closing car doors.

  Use a “splinting” technique over your chest anytime you cough, sneeze or laugh. Do this by hugging a pillow gently on your chest or placing your hands over your sternum as you cough, sneeze or laugh. The splinting technique will provide support to your incision and decrease pain.

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