Benefits and harms of heart surgery. How are operations performed? Reasons for open heart surgery

The treatment of heart diseases using surgery is the field of surgery and cardiology, which is called cardiac surgery. To date, cardiac surgery is the most effective method of treating certain types of heart defects, coronary heart disease and helps prevent the development of myocardial infarction, as well as eliminate its consequences - aneurysms.
Surgical intervention is used only in cases where conservative methods of treatment cease to help and the patient's condition worsens. The untimely appeal of the patient to the doctor can also lead to heart surgery, when only surgical intervention remains the only way to help.

Today, cardiac surgery is one of the most actively developing and technically equipped branches of medicine. Every year, 700 patients undergo open heart surgery. The bulk of operations are in the United States. In Europe, the number of operations is 4 times less. In Asian countries, cardiac surgery is practically absent. In Russia, the number of heart surgeries is below the required minimum. This statistic is due to the fact that heart surgeries are expensive. In addition to open heart surgery, surgical intervention is also carried out without opening parts of the heart (for example, implantation of pacemakers, angioplasty).

Surgery is required for diseases such as:

1. Ischemic heart disease and its consequences (myocardial infarction);
2. Heart defects.
3. Violation of the heart rhythm.

Cardiac ischemia

Ischemic heart disease occurs as a result of insufficient blood supply to the working myocardium. The main cause of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis (plaque formation on the walls of blood vessels). A slight narrowing of the lumen of the vessel leads to angina pectoris (a person feels pain only when the heart's need for oxygen is increased, for example, during exercise). A strong narrowing of the lumen of the vessel causes pain even at rest, and the duration of pain attacks can also become more frequent and increase - unstable angina. With a strong violation of the coronary blood flow, the death of the muscle fibers of the heart occurs - this is a myocardial infarction.

One of the severe complications of myocardial infarction is the formation of a post-infarction aneurysm of the left ventricle. An aneurysm is a bubble-like bulge. It is formed due to the fact that dead tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which in turn is not able to contract. Under the pressure of healthy contracting fibers, the scar tissue swells, part of the blood is retained in the ventricle in the area of aneurysmal expansion. With each contraction, organs and tissues receive less blood in an amount equal to the volume of the aneurysm. This is its main negative meaning. Very often, blood clots form in the aneurysm area, which can break off and be transferred with the blood flow to any organs, causing their heart attack (death of part or all of the organ). When a blood clot enters the brain, a stroke occurs.

Surgical intervention (heart surgery) for coronary heart disease is aimed at restoring the normal nutrition of all parts of the heart. The degree of damage to the coronary arteries will depend on what kind of operation should be done. An analysis of the state of the vessels is carried out using coronary angiography - this is an X-ray contrast research method that allows you to determine the location, nature and degree of narrowing of the coronary artery. Most often, stenting of the coronary artery, which causes pain, is done. In the case of severe atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary vessels, the patient needs coronary artery bypass grafting.

Types of surgery for coronary heart disease

Angioplasty and stenting of the coronary arteries

Angioplasty and stenosis is aimed at removing obstructions to blood flow by expanding the artery from the inside.
The operation is carried out as follows: with the help of special equipment, a catheter is inserted through a puncture in the thigh area under the control of a fluorographic preparation into the artery that feeds the heart. It must reach the site of narrowing of the artery, where a special balloon is inflated with a stent - a device that does not allow the artery to subside. The stent remains in the artery, and the catheter is brought out through the same hole in the thigh.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (ACS)

Coronary artery bypass grafting - restoring the blood supply to the heart muscle by creating a new blood flow path around the affected area of the coronary vessel using shunts - pieces of arteries or veins taken from the patient himself (for example, in the limb area). This operation is aimed at preventing myocardial infarction. To date, CABG operations are performed both with the use of a heart-lung machine and on a beating heart (cardiac immobility is only in the operated area).
One of the types of coronary artery bypass surgery is mammary coronary artery bypass grafting (MCB). The internal mammary artery is used as a shunt. The use of this vessel is beneficial, since in this case no additional incisions are needed due to the close location of the thoracic artery and the heart, and also because atherosclerotic plaques do not form in the artery, and therefore, the service life of such a shunt is quite long.

Plastic surgery of postinfarction aneurysm of the left ventricle

The essence of the intervention is to reduce the volume of the left ventricle by delimiting the area of aneurysmal expansion and the healthy part of the left ventricle. The surgeon removes the blood clots that have arisen in the area of the aneurysm, then sews a septum made of dense elastic human tissue across the cavity of the left ventricle. Two cavities are formed: one with normal, actively contracting walls, the other - from scar tissue that is not able to contract, but does not interfere with the normal functioning of the heart. Thus, blood circulation is restored and the risk of a blood clot breaking off is eliminated.

Heart defects

Heart disease is called defects in the structure of the heart, which lead to disruption of normal blood circulation, there is stagnation of blood in the pulmonary or systemic circulation.
The following violations are distinguished:

- stenosis (narrowing) of the valvular apparatus;
With valve stenosis, it stops passing the required volume of blood through the reduced opening.
- insufficiency of the valvular apparatus;
The valve leaflets cannot close tightly and allow blood to pass in the direction opposite to normal blood flow.

-defects of the interventricular and interatrial septum;
With defects in these partitions, blood enters from a cavity with high pressure into a cavity with less pressure, and venous blood, poor in oxygen, mixes with oxygenated arterial blood, which leads to oxygen starvation of tissues.
Heart defects can be congenital or acquired. Most of them do not require surgery. Sometimes the disease proceeds unnoticed by the patient. Congenital heart disease can disappear with age, but if this does not happen and signs of heart failure increase, then surgery is required.

Treatment of heart defects is aimed at correcting the existing mechanical defect in the functioning of the heart.

There are the following types of surgical intervention:

Prosthetics and plastic heart valves

Operations to install prostheses are performed on the open heart, using a heart-lung machine.
Valve prostheses are mechanical and biological.

Mechanical valves

Mechanical valves are made of metal and plastic. The validity period of such prostheses is about 80 years. However, when using them, a person has to take anticoagulants daily, since blood clots are easily formed on the prostheses, which contribute to the formation of blood clots. In rare cases, a breakdown of a mechanical prosthesis is possible, which most often leads to the death of the patient. Mechanical valve prostheses can be in the form
- rotating disk
The disc completely covers the hole, but is fixed at one end only. Blood moving in the right direction presses on the disc, turns it on the hinge and opens the hole; when the blood moves back, the disc completely covers the hole.
- built on the principle of a ball in a grid
The blood flow in the right direction pushes the ball out of the hole, pressing it to the bottom of the mesh and thereby creating the possibility of further passage of blood; the reverse flow pushes the ball into the hole, which is thus closed and does not allow blood to pass through.

biological valves

Biological prostheses, usually made from animal heart tissue, are considered more efficient. After their installation, treatment with anticoagulants, which have many contraindications, is not necessary. Such a prosthesis works from 10 to 20 years, its aging occurs gradually and you can prepare in advance for its replacement in a planned manner. Of course, in this case, a second operation is needed.
Biological valves do not require mandatory anticoagulation (although it is often recommended), but wear out faster than mechanical valves.

Plastic defects of the interatrial and interventricular septum

If the structure of the septum is violated, with a small defect (the size of the hole is not more than 3 cm), it is sutured, and with a significant size, a plastic patch is performed (using synthetic tissues or autopericardium)

Heart rhythm disorder

Cardiac arrhythmias are violations of the sequence, rhythm and frequency of contractions of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur as a result of metabolic disorders, for example, endocrine and autonomic, or the effects of certain drugs. They are also often caused by heart disease, and sometimes - intoxication.
The danger of arrhythmia is that it can lead to ventricular fibrillation (scattered contraction of fibers).
For the treatment of arrhythmias, drugs, catheter ablation, or a pacemaker (pacemaker) are implanted.

Surgical methods for the treatment of arrhythmias:

RF ablation

This is a minimally invasive surgical method that is used for:
- high heart rate with a pronounced pulse deficit;
- atrial fibrillation;
- progressive heart failure;
- supraventricular tachycardia.

The method of radiofrequency ablation consists in passing a special catheter to the area of the heart that causes an abnormal pathological rhythm. An electrical impulse is applied to this department, which destroys the tissue site that sets the wrong rhythm.
Ablation restores normal heart rhythm.

Pacemaker implantation

The operation is done in patients with heart rhythm disturbances that threaten life. The pacemaker aims to control and restore the normal contraction of the heart.
Doctors implant a special device under the skin or under the pectoral muscle. Two or three electrodes depart from the pacemaker, which are connected to the chambers of the heart to transmit an electrical impulse to them.

Defibrillator implantation

The principle of operation of a defibrillator is similar to a pacemaker. Its distinctive feature is the elimination of too fast and too slow heart rate. The heart rate is assessed using electrodes. Installing a defibrillator is similar to installing a pacemaker.

Installing a defibrillator is indicated for ventricular tachycardia.

Heart transplant

In critical cases, when the heart cannot perform its function and does not respond to any treatment, they resort to a heart transplant. Thanks to this operation, doctors prolong the life of the patient for a period of about 5 years. Research is currently underway to extend the life of people who have undergone heart transplants.

Postoperative recovery period

An important stage of recovery after surgery is the period of postoperative recovery. Strict monitoring of human health is necessary. This period is different and individual for each patient. Patients are prescribed special cardio training, diets. Emotional calm is needed.

Heart surgeries are dangerous due to their complications. The main signs of complications are fever, pain in the operated area, tachycardia, drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath. The ECG shows characteristic changes. The recovery period lasts six months - a year.

An example of monitoring the health of postoperative patients is the work of the doctor of medical sciences, professor, arrhythmologist Andrey Vyacheslavovich Ardashev. He does over 200 surgeries a year. Postoperative monitoring of patients began in 2011 with the help of the project. The doctor controls both the conclusion of the cardiovisor and the ECG itself in postoperative patients. Using the site service helps to monitor the recovery of the health of operated people via the Internet. This is a huge plus, since a large number of patients come to Moscow from all over Russia in order to have heart surgery. They pass the postoperative period already at home. Using the Cardiovisor allows you to take ECG readings at home and send them to the doctor using the site.

Rostislav Zhadeiko, especially for the project .

But now, the diagnosis has been made and the doctors understand what needs to be done next. I would like you to understand well by this moment, what will be discussed when they will explain everything in detail to you, what was found during the examination, what diagnosis was made, what needs to be done and when to choose the best way of treatment.

Here and now the main questions are being decided, and you must exactly imagine what you want to know before you make a decision on which a lot depends.

There are several options for conversation.

You will be offered operation, as the only way out, and doctors believe that it needs to be done urgently.
You are offered an operation, but they say that it can be postponed for a while.
You are denied an operation for a variety of reasons.

You need to understand what is being said and prepare for the conversation. Try to be calm and confident in yourself and in the doctors who want to help you. You must be together, on the same side, in the fight for the future of the child. Discuss everything, but your questions should be literate. Believe me, a lot depends on this too.

What do you need to know about in order to ask the right question? What are the operations? What should the child do? How will it all be? Who will do it? Let's talk about it calmly.

Today, all interventions, or operations, for congenital heart defects can be divided into three categories: "closed" operations, "open" and "X-ray surgery".

✔ Closed Operations These are surgical interventions in which the heart itself is not affected. They are performed outside of it, and therefore do not require the use of any special equipment other than conventional surgical instruments. The cavities of the heart are not “opened” with them, which is why they are called “closed”, and they are widely performed as the first stage of surgical intervention.

✔ Open Operations- These are surgical interventions in which it is necessary to open the cavities of the heart in order to eliminate the existing defect. For this, a special apparatus is used - a heart-lung machine (AIC), or "heart-lungs". For the period of the operation, both the heart and the lungs are switched off from the circulation, and the surgeon gets the opportunity to perform any operation on the so-called "dry", stopped heart.

All the patient's venous blood is sent to the apparatus, where, passing through an oxygenator (artificial lung), it is saturated with oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide, turning into arterial. Then the arterial blood is pumped into the patient's aorta by a pump, i.e. into the systemic circulation. Modern technologies allow all the internal parts of the device (including the oxygenator), with which the patient's blood comes into contact, to be made "disposable", i.e. use them only once and only for one patient. This dramatically reduces the number of possible complications.

Today, thanks to AIC, it is possible without much risk to turn off the heart and lungs from work for several hours (and the surgeon has the opportunity to operate on the most complex defects).

✔ X-ray surgery appeared relatively recently, but, thanks to the incredible progress of modern technologies, they have already taken their rightful place in the arsenal of cardiac surgery. More and more doctors are now using thin catheters, the ends of which are fitted with balloons, patches, or expandable tubes (folded like a folding umbrella). With the help of a catheter, these devices are carried into the cavity of the heart, or into the lumen of the vessel, and then, expanding the balloon, break the narrowed valve with pressure, increase or create a defect in the septum, or, conversely, by opening the patch umbrella, this defect is closed. The tubes are inserted into the lumen of the desired vessel and create a wider lumen. In adults, they even try to pass an artificial aortic valve through the catheter in this way, but so far these are only attempts. Doctors monitor the course of an X-ray surgical operation on the monitor screen and clearly control all manipulations with the probe, and therefore the advantage of such operations is not only less trauma, but also high safety and efficiency. X-ray surgery has not yet supplanted traditional surgical methods, but it is gaining more and more space both as an independent method and as an “auxiliary”, i.e. which can be applied not instead of, but together with the usual operation, sometimes simplifying and supplementing it in many ways.

Depending on the type of defect and the condition of the child, surgical operations can be emergency, urgent and elective, i.e. planned.

emergency heart surgery are the ones that should be done immediately after the diagnosis is made, because any delay threatens the life of the child. With congenital malformations, such situations are not uncommon, especially when it comes to newborns. Here the question of life is often decided by hours and minutes.

Emergency operations- those for whom there is no such insane urgency. The operation does not need to be done right now, but you can calmly wait a few days, prepare both you and the child, but it must be done urgently, because then it may be too late.

Planned, or elective, operation- this is an intervention made at the time chosen by you and the surgeons, when the child's condition does not inspire fear, but the operation, nevertheless, should not be postponed.

No cardiac surgeon will ever suggest surgery if it can be avoided. So, anyway, it should be.

Depending on the approach to surgical treatment, radical and palliative operations are distinguished.

✔ Radical heart surgery is a correction that completely eliminates the defect. It can be done with an open ductus arteriosus, septal defects, complete transposition of the main vessels, abnormal pulmonary vein drainage, atrioventricular communication, Fallot's tetrad and some other defects, in which the heart is fully formed, and the surgeon has the opportunity to completely separate the circulatory circles, while maintaining normal anatomical relationships. Those. the atria will connect to their ventricles through correctly positioned valves, and the corresponding great vessels will depart from the ventricles.

✔ Palliative heart surgery- auxiliary, “facilitating”, aimed at normalizing or improving blood circulation and preparing the vascular bed for radical correction. Palliative operations do not eliminate the disease itself, but significantly improve the child's condition. With some very complex defects, which until recently were generally inoperable, the child will have one, and sometimes two palliative operations, before the final radical stage becomes possible.

During a palliative operation, another "defect" is surgically created, which the child does not initially have, but due to which the circulatory pathways disturbed by the defect in the large and small circles are changed. These include surgical expansion of the atrial septal defect, all variants of intervascular anastomoses - i.e. additional shunts, messages between circles. The Fontan operation is the most “radical” of all such methods, after which a person lives without a right ventricle at all. With some of the most complex heart defects, it is impossible to correct the anatomically, and surgical treatment aimed at correcting blood flow can be called the “final” palliative correction, but by no means a radical operation.

In other words, with heart defects, when the intracardiac anatomy - the structure of the ventricles, the condition of the atrioventricular valves, the location of the aorta and the pulmonary trunk - are so changed that they do not allow for a real radical correction, today's surgery follows the path of eliminating poorly compatible with life of circulatory disorders, and then - long-term palliation. The first stage of this path is saving lives and preparing for further treatment, and protection from future complications, the second is the final stage of treatment. All together - this is a long way to the final operation, and on it one, two, and sometimes three steps must be overcome, but, ultimately, to make the child healthy enough for him to develop, learn, lead a normal life, which this long-term palliation will provide him. Check it out, not so long ago - 20-25 years ago it was simply impossible, and children born with the defects of this group were doomed to death.

Such a “final palliation” is the only way out in many cases; although it does not correct the defect itself, it provides the child with an almost normal life by improving the mixing of arterial and venous blood flows, the complete separation of circles, and the elimination of obstructions to blood flow.

Obviously, the very concept of radical and palliative treatment for some complex congenital heart defects is largely arbitrary, and the boundaries are erased.

Heart valve replacement
- Possible complications and recommendations for care

Heart surgery is performed only when necessary. The most common of these are heart valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. The first is necessary if the patient is concerned about valvular stenosis. It should be noted that heart surgeries pose a serious risk to the life of the patient, they are carried out with maximum precision and caution. Heart surgery sometimes leads to numerous problems and complications, in order to avoid this, you can use an alternative technique - valvuloplasty.

The procedure can replace replacement surgery, help normalize the activity of the heart muscles. In the process, a special balloon is inserted into the opening of the aortic valve, at the end this balloon is inflated. It is worth considering: if a person is in old age, valvuloplasty does not give a lasting effect.

Heart valve replacement

To decide on such a procedure, it is necessary to establish a diagnosis.

The operation is carried out immediately or some time after the test.

In some situations, the results indicate that a person needs bypass surgery. Valve replacement is an open procedure that can be performed using minimally invasive surgery. It should be remembered that heart valve replacement is a very complicated procedure, despite this, it is carried out very often.

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Stages of the procedure and further rehabilitation

First you need to open the chest. Next, the doctor connects the patient to a special apparatus that provides artificial circulation. The device temporarily replaces the heart. The patient's circulatory system is connected to the device, after which the natural valve is removed and replaced. When this manipulation is completed, the device is turned off. In most cases, heart surgery goes well, but a scar forms on the organ.

After recovery from anesthesia, the breathing tube is removed from the lungs. If you want to remove excess fluid, such a tube should be left for a while. After a day, it is allowed to drink water and liquid, you can walk only after two days. After such an operation, pain in the chest area can be felt, and on the fifth day the patient is completely discharged. If there is a risk of complications, the hospital stay must be extended by 6 days.

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Can there be complications after valve replacement?

A person can face such problems at different stages of the disease. During the operation, there is a risk of heavy bleeding, in addition, difficulties with anesthesia may arise. Possible risk factors include internal bleeding, seizures, possible infections. A heart attack can also happen, but this happens very rarely. As for the greatest danger, it lies in the appearance of tamponade of the pericardial cavity. This phenomenon occurs when blood fills its heart sac. This causes serious malfunctions in the functioning of the heart. Operations on the heart cannot but affect the general condition of a person. During the rehabilitation period, strict medical supervision is required. The need to visit the surgeon arises after 3-4 weeks after the operation. It is important to maintain the general well-being of the patient. An optimal dose of physical activity should be prescribed, it is important to stick to a diet.

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What is coronary artery bypass grafting?

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a type of surgery that restores blood flow in the arteries. The procedure is necessary to eliminate coronary heart disease. The disease manifests itself when the lumen of the coronary vessels narrows, as a result of which an insufficient amount of oxygen enters the heart muscle. Coronary artery bypass surgery aims to prevent changes in the myocardium (heart muscle). After the operation, he should fully recover and contract better. It is necessary to restore the affected area of the muscle, for this the following procedure is carried out: everyday shunts are applied between the aorta and the coronary vessel that is affected. Thus, the formation of new coronary arteries occurs. They are designed to replace the narrowed ones. After the shunt is applied, blood from the aorta flows through a healthy vessel, thanks to which the heart produces a normal blood flow.

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What is the operation for?

This procedure will be required if the left coronary artery of the vessel that provides flow to the heart is affected. It is also needed if all coronary vessels are damaged. The procedure can be double, triple, single - it all depends on how many shunts the doctor needs. With coronary heart disease, the patient may need one shunt, in some cases two or three. Bypass surgery is a procedure that is often used for atherosclerosis of the heart vessels. This happens when angioplasty is not possible. As a rule, a shunt can serve for a long time, its functional suitability is 12-14 years.

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Carrying out coronary artery bypass grafting

The duration of the operation is 3-4 hours. The procedure requires maximum concentration and attention. The doctor needs to gain access to the heart, for this it is necessary to dissect the soft tissues, then open the sternum and perform a stenotomy. During the operation, a procedure is carried out that is necessary for temporary, it is called cardioplegia. The heart must be cooled with very cold water, then a special solution should be injected into the arteries. To attach shunts, the aorta must be temporarily blocked. To do this, it is necessary to pinch it and connect the heart-lung machine for 90 minutes. Plastic tubes should be placed in the right atrium. Next, the doctor performs procedures that contribute to the flow of blood into the body.

What is routine vascular bypass surgery? This method involves the implantation of special implants into the coronary vessels outside the obstruction, the end of the shunt is sutured to the aorta. In order to be able to use the internal mammary arteries, it is necessary to carry out the procedure with the expenditure of more time. This is due to the need to separate the arteries from the chest wall. Upon completion of the operation, the doctor carefully fastens the chest, for this a special wire is used. With its help, a soft tissue incision is sutured, then drainage tubes are applied to remove residual blood.

Sometimes bleeding occurs after the operation, it continues throughout the day. The installed drainage tubes should be removed after 12-17 hours after the procedure. At the end of the operation, the breathing tube must be removed. On the second day, the patient can get out of bed and move around. Restoration of the heart rhythm takes place in 25% of patients. As a rule, it lasts for five days. As for arrhythmia, this disease can be eliminated within 30 days after surgery, for this conservative methods of therapy are used.

How are operations performed?

An operation is an intervention in the human body with a violation of its integrity. Each disease requires an individual approach, which naturally affects the way the operation is performed.

How heart surgery is done: preparation for surgery

Heart surgery (cardiac surgery) is one of the most difficult to perform, dangerous and responsible type of surgical intervention.

Planned operations are usually carried out in the morning. Therefore, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink in the evening (for 8-10 hours), and immediately before the operation, a cleansing enema is given. This is necessary in order for the anesthesia to work as it should.

The place where operations are performed must be sterile. In medical institutions, special rooms are used for these purposes - operating rooms, which are regularly sterilized by quartz treatment and special antiseptics. In addition, all medical personnel who take part in the operation wash themselves before the procedure (you even have to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic solution), and also change into special sterile clothes, put on sterile gloves on your hands.

The patient is also put on shoe covers, a cap on his head, and the operation field is treated with an antiseptic. If necessary, before the operation, the patient's hair is shaved if the surgical field is covered with it. All these manipulations are necessary to avoid infection of the surgical wound with bacteria or other dangerous active microorganisms.

Narcosis or anesthesia

Anesthesia is a general anesthesia of the body with its immersion in drug-induced sleep. During surgical interventions on the heart, general anesthesia is used, and in some cases, during endovideosurgical operations, spinal anesthesia, in which a puncture is made into the spinal cord at the level of the lower back. Substances that cause pain relief can be administered in various ways - intravenously, through the respiratory tract (inhalation anesthesia), intramuscularly or in combination.

Course of open heart surgery

After the person goes into medical sleep and ceases to feel pain, the operation itself begins. The surgeon uses a scalpel to open the skin and soft tissues on the chest. Cardiac surgery may also require an “opening” of the chest. To do this, with the help of special surgical instruments, the ribs are sawn. Thus, doctors “get” to the operated organ and put special dilators on the wound, which provide better access to the heart. Junior medical staff, using suction, removes blood from the surgical field, and also cauterizes cut capillaries and blood vessels so that they do not bleed.

If necessary, the patient is connected to an artificial heart machine, which will temporarily pump blood through the body, while the operated organ is artificially suspended. Depending on what kind of heart surgery is performed (what kind of damage is eliminated), appropriate manipulations are carried out: it can be the replacement of blocked coronary arteries, the replacement of heart valves in case of defects, vein bypass surgery or the replacement of an entire organ.

Extreme care is required from the surgeon and all staff, as the life of the patient depends on it. It should also be added that during the operation, blood pressure and some other indicators are constantly monitored, which indicate the patient's condition.

Endovideosurgery: stenosis and angioplasty

Today, more and more often, heart surgery is performed not by an open method - with a chest incision, but with access through the femoral artery on the leg, under the control of an X-ray machine and a microscopic video camera. After preparing for operation, which is similar for all types of surgical interventions, and putting the patient into a medical sleep, access to the femoral artery is opened through an incision in the leg. A catheter and a probe with a video camera at the end are inserted into it, thanks to which access to the heart is provided.

In this way, angioplasty with stenosis of blood vessels is carried out in cardiac surgery, which is necessary for blockage of the coronary vessels that feed the heart itself with blood. Special stands are installed in the narrowed vessels - cylindrical implants that do not allow the arteries to clog anymore, which prevents the possibility of developing coronary disease.

After the main part of the operation is over and the heart is on its own again functions, stitching of damaged nerves, vessels and tissues is performed. The wound is again treated with an antiseptic, the surgical field is closed, soft tissues and skin are sutured with special threads. A medical bandage is applied to the external wound. After the end of all these procedures, the patient is taken out of anesthesia.

Other types of transactions

In addition to the abdominal operations described above, there are also operations performed in a less traumatic way:

Laparoscopy - is performed using a laparoscope, which is inserted through 1-2 cm incisions in the skin. Most often used in gynecology, gastrectomy and other operations in the abdominal cavity. You can read more about this
Laser surgery - is carried out using a special laser beam. Usually, operations are performed in this way on the eyes, when removing skin formations, etc. You can read more about the method

Review

Open heart surgery is a surgical procedure in which the chest is opened and the muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart are affected.

Coronary artery bypass surgery is the most common adult heart surgery, according to the US National Heart, Lung, and Hematology Institute (NHLBI). During this surgery, a healthy artery or vein is transplanted (attached) to a blocked coronary (heart) artery. As a result, the transplanted artery delivers blood to the heart bypassing the blocked artery (NHLBI).

Open heart surgery is sometimes referred to as conventional heart surgery. Today, many new procedures on the heart require only small incisions rather than large incisions. That is, the concept of open heart surgery can sometimes be misleading.

Causes

Open heart surgery allows coronary artery bypass surgery. Coronary artery bypass surgery may be required for patients with coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart become narrow and inelastic. This disease is known as atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits build up on the walls of the coronary arteries. Plaque narrows the arteries, making it difficult for blood to pass through them. If blood is not supplied to the heart properly, a heart attack can occur.

Open heart surgery is also performed to:

restore or replace blood vessels, which will allow blood to pass through the heart; repair damaged or abnormal areas of the heart; install medical devices that will help the heart work properly; replace the damaged heart with a donor one (transplantation).

Operation

Coronary artery bypass surgery takes four to six hours, according to the National Institutes of Health. Consider what it is, step by step.

The patient receives general anesthesia. He falls asleep and feels no pain from the operation. After making a 20 to 25 centimeter incision in the chest, the surgeon cuts all or part of the breast bone to gain access to the heart. Once the heart opens, the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine. It diverts blood away from the heart so that the surgeon can operate. Some new technologies allow to refuse this device. The surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to create a new path around the blocked artery. The chest is held together with wire, which remains inside the body. The initial incision is sutured. (NIH)

Occasionally, a chest plate is used in high-risk patients, especially in the elderly and those who have undergone repeated surgery. In this case, the breast bone after the operation is connected with small titanium plates.

Risks

Risks in coronary artery bypass surgery:

wound infection of the chest (most common in obesity, diabetes, repeated bypass surgery); heart attack or stroke; violation of the heart rhythm; damage to the lungs or kidneys; chest pain, subfebrile body temperature; memory loss or blurred memories; blood clots; blood loss; difficulty breathing.

According to the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCM), the use of a heart-lung machine increases the risks. These risks include stroke and memory problems (UCM).

Preparation

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbs. Report any health problems, including herpes, infection, colds, flu, fever.

Two weeks before surgery, your doctor may ask you to refrain from smoking and to stop taking vasoconstrictor drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

On the eve of the operation, you will be asked to wash yourself with a special soap. It destroys bacteria on the skin and reduces the chance of infection after surgery. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight.

You will receive further instructions when you arrive at the hospital for your operation.

Rehabilitation

When you wake up after surgery, you will have two or three tubes in your chest. They are needed to drain fluid from the area around the heart.

You may have intravenous tubes that will provide you with fluids.

You may have a catheter (thin tube) placed in your bladder to drain urine.

You may also have machines connected to you to monitor your heart. Nurses will be nearby to help you if needed.

Most likely, you will spend the first night in the intensive care unit. After three to seven days, you will be transferred to a regular ward.

Long

You must be ready for a gradual recovery. Improvement will come in about six weeks, and in about six months you will feel the full benefits of the operation. So, the outlook is optimistic for many people, the shunt can work for years to come.

Nevertheless, the operation does not exclude re-occlusion of the vessels. The state of health will support the following measures:

proper nutrition; restriction of salty, fatty and sweet foods; maintaining physical activity; to give up smoking; control of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Heart surgeries are very common these days. Modern cardiac surgery and vascular surgery are very advanced. Surgical intervention is prescribed in the case when conservative drug treatment does not help, and, accordingly, the normalization of the patient's condition is impossible without surgery.

For example, heart disease can only be cured by surgery, this is necessary in the case when blood circulation is severely disturbed due to pathology.

And as a result, a person feels bad and severe complications begin to develop. These complications can lead not only to disability, but also to death.

Often prescribed surgical treatment of coronary heart disease. Since it can lead to myocardial infarction. Due to a heart attack, the walls of the cavities of the heart or aorta become thinner and protrusion appears. This pathology can also be cured only by surgery. Quite often, operations are performed due to disturbed heart rhythm (RFA).

They also perform heart transplantation, that is, a transplant. This is necessary when there is a complex of pathologies due to which the myocardium is not able to function. Today, such an operation prolongs the life of the patient by an average of 5 years. After such an operation, the patient is put on disability.

Operations can be carried out urgently, urgently, or a planned intervention is prescribed. It depends on the severity of the patient's condition. An emergency operation is performed immediately, immediately after the diagnosis is established. If such an intervention is not carried out, then the death of the patient may occur.

Such operations are often performed on newborns immediately after birth with congenital heart disease. In this case, even minutes are important.

Urgent operations do not require fast execution. In this case, the patient is prepared for some time. As a rule, it is several days.

A planned operation is prescribed if at this time there is no danger to life, but it must be carried out to prevent complications. Doctors prescribe surgery on the myocardium only if it is necessary.

Invasive Research

Invasive methods for examining the heart are to conduct catheterization. That is, the study is carried out through a catheter, which can be installed both in the cavity of the heart and in the vessel. With the help of these studies, you can determine some indicators of the work of the heart.

For example, blood pressure in any part of the myocardium, as well as determine how much oxygen is in the blood, evaluate cardiac output, vascular resistance.

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Invasive methods allow you to study the pathology of the valves, their size and degree of damage. This study takes place without opening the chest. Cardiac catheterization allows you to take an intracardiac electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram. This method is also used to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy.

Such studies include:

Angiography. This is a method for which a contrast agent is used. It is injected into the cavity of the heart or vessel for accurate visualization and detection of pathologies. coronary angiography. This study allows you to assess the degree of damage to the coronary vessels, it helps doctors understand whether surgery is needed, and if not, what therapy is suitable for this patient. Ventriculography. This is a radiopaque study that will determine the condition of the ventricles, the presence of pathology. All ventricular parameters can be studied, such as cavity volume, cardiac output, cardiac relaxation and excitability measurements.

With selective coronary angiography, contrast is injected into one of the coronary arteries (right or left).

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Coronary angiography is often performed in patients with angina pectoris 3-4 functional class. In this case, it is resistant to drug therapy. Doctors need to decide what type of surgical treatment is needed. It is also important to carry out this procedure for unstable angina.

Also, invasive procedures include punctures and probing of the heart cavities. With the help of probing, it is possible to diagnose heart defects and pathologies in the LV, for example, it can be tumors, or thrombosis. To do this, use the femoral vein (right), a needle is inserted into it through which the conductor passes. The needle diameter becomes about 2 mm.

When performing invasive studies, local anesthesia is used. The incision is small, about 1-2 cm. This is necessary to expose the desired vein for the installation of the catheter.

These studies are carried out in different clinics and their cost is quite high.

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Surgery for heart disease

Heart defects include

stenosis of the heart valves; insufficiency of heart valves; septal defects (interventricular, interatrial).

valve stenosis

These pathologies lead to many disorders in the work of the heart, that is, the goals of operations for defects are to relieve the load from the heart muscle, restore the normal functioning of the ventricle, as well as restore contractile function and reduce pressure in the heart cavities.

To eliminate these defects, the following surgical interventions are performed:

Valve replacement (prosthetics)

This type of operation is done on the open heart, that is, after opening the chest. In this case, the patient is connected to a special apparatus for cardiopulmonary bypass. The operation consists in replacing the affected valve with an implant. They can be mechanical (in the form of a disk or ball in a grid, they are made of synthetic materials) and biological (made from animal biological material).

Valve implant placement

Plastic defects of partitions

It can be carried out in 2 options, for example, suturing a defect or its plastic. Suturing is carried out if the size of the hole is less than 3 cm. Plastic surgery is performed using synthetic tissue or autopericardium.

Valvuloplasty

With this type of operation, implants are not used, but simply expand the lumen of the affected valve. At the same time, a balloon is introduced into the lumen of the valve, which is inflated. It should be noted that such an operation is performed only on young people, as for the elderly, they are only entitled to open-heart intervention.

Balloon valvuloplasty

Often, after heart disease surgery, a person is given a disability.

Operations on the aorta

Open surgeries include:

Prosthetics of the ascending aorta. At the same time, a valve-containing conduit is installed; this prosthesis has a mechanical aortic valve. Prosthetics of the ascending aorta, while the aortic valve is not implanted. Prosthetics of the ascending artery and its arch. Surgery to implant a stent graft in the ascending aorta. This is an endovascular intervention.

Prosthetics of the ascending aorta is the replacement of this section of the artery. This is necessary in order to prevent serious consequences, for example, a break. To do this, prosthetics are used by opening the chest, and endovascular or intravascular interventions are also performed. In this case, a special stent is installed in the affected area.

Of course, open-heart surgery is more effective, since in addition to the main pathology - aortic aneurysm, it is possible to correct the accompanying one, for example, stenosis or valve insufficiency, etc. And the endovascular procedure gives a temporary effect.

Aortic dissection

When prosthetics of the aortic arch are used:

Open distal anastomosis. This is when the prosthesis is installed, so that it does not affect its branches; Arc semi-replacement. This operation consists in replacing the artery where the ascending aorta passes into the arch and, if required, replacing the concave surface of the arch; Subtotal prosthetics. This is when the replacement of branches (1 or 2) is required during prosthetics of the arterial arch; Complete prosthetics. In this case, the arch is prosthetized together with all supra-aortic vessels. This is a complex intervention that can cause neurological complications. After such an intervention, a person is given a disability.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (ACS)

CABG is open-heart surgery that uses a patient's vessel as a shunt. This heart operation is needed in order to create a bypass for the blood, which will not affect the occlusive section of the coronary artery.

That is, this shunt is installed on the aorta and brought to the area of the coronary artery not affected by atherosclerosis.

This method is quite effective in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Due to the installed shunt, the blood flow to the heart increases, which means that ischemia and angina pectoris do not appear.

CABG is prescribed if there is angina pectoris, in which even the smallest loads cause seizures. Also, indications for CABG are lesions of all coronary arteries, and if an aneurysm of the heart has formed.

Coronary artery bypass grafting

During CABG, the patient is put into general anesthesia, and then, after opening the chest, all manipulations are performed. This operation can be performed with or without cardiac arrest. And also, depending on the severity of the pathology, the doctor decides whether it is necessary to connect the patient to a heart-lung machine. The duration of CABG can be 3-6 hours, it all depends on the number of shunts, that is, on the number of anastomoses.

As a rule, the role of the shunt is performed by a vein from the lower limb, and sometimes a part of the internal thoracic vein, the radial artery, is also used.

Today, CABG is performed, which is performed with minimal access to the heart, while the heart continues to work. Such an intervention is considered not as traumatic as the others. In this case, the chest is not opened, the incision is made between the ribs and a special expander is also used so as not to affect the bones. This type of CABG lasts 1 to 2 hours.

The operation is performed by 2 surgeons, while one makes an incision and opens the sternum, the other operates on the limb to take a vein.

After carrying out all the necessary manipulations, the doctor installs drains and closes the chest.

CABG significantly reduces the likelihood of a heart attack. Angina pectoris does not appear after surgery, which means that the quality and duration of the patient's life increase.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

RFA is a procedure that is performed under local anesthesia, since the basis is catheterization. Such a procedure is carried out in order to exfoliate the cells that cause arrhythmia, that is, the focus. This happens through a catheter-conductor, which conducts an electric current. As a result, tissue formations are removed by RFA.

RF catheter ablation

After conducting an electrophysical study, the doctor determines where the source is located, which causes a rapid heartbeat. These sources can be formed along the conducting paths, as a result of which an anomaly of the rhythm manifests itself. It is RFA that neutralizes this anomaly.

RFA is carried out in case of:

when drug therapy does not affect the arrhythmia, and also if such therapy causes side effects. If the patient has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. This pathology is perfectly neutralized by RFA. If a complication may occur, such as cardiac arrest.

It should be noted that RFA is well tolerated by patients, since there are no large incisions and opening of the sternum.

The catheter is inserted through a puncture in the thigh. Only the area through which the catheter is inserted is anesthetized.

The guide catheter reaches the myocardium, and then a contrast agent is injected. With the help of contrast, the affected areas become visible, and the doctor directs the electrode to them. After the electrode acted on the source, the tissues are scarred, which means that they will not be able to conduct the impulse. After RFA, a bandage is not needed.

Carotid surgery

There are such types of operations on the carotid artery:

Prosthetics (used with a large lesion); Stenting is performed if stenosis is diagnosed. In this case, the lumen is increased by installing a stent; Eversion endarterectomy - at the same time, atherosclerotic plaques are removed along with the inner lining of the carotid artery; Carotid endarectomy.

These operations are performed under both general and local anesthesia. More often under general anesthesia, as the procedure is performed in the neck and there are discomfort.

The carotid artery is occluded, and in order to continue the blood supply, shunts are installed, which are bypass routes.

Classical endarterectomy is done if long plaque lesions are diagnosed. During this operation, the plaque is peeled off and removed. Next, the vessel is washed. Sometimes it is still necessary to fix the inner shell, this is done with special seams. At the end, the artery is sutured with a special synthetic medical material.

Endarterectomy of the carotid arteries

Eversion endartectomy is performed in such a way that the inner layer of the carotid artery at the site of the plaque is removed. And after that they fix, that is, sew. For this operation, the plaque should be no more than 2.5 cm.

Stenting is performed using a balloon catheter. This is a minimally invasive procedure. When the catheter is located at the site of stenosis, it inflates and thereby expands the lumen.

Rehabilitation

The period after heart surgery is no less important than the operation itself. At this time, the patient's condition is monitored by doctors, and in some cases, cardio training, therapeutic diets, etc. are prescribed.

Other recovery measures are also needed, such as wearing a bandage. The bandage at the same time fixes the seam after the operation, and of course the entire chest, which is very important. Such a bandage should be worn only if the operation is performed on the open heart. The cost of these items may vary.

The bandage that is worn after heart surgery looks like a T-shirt with tightness clamps. You can purchase male and female versions of this bandage. The bandage is important to prevent lung congestion by coughing regularly.

Such prevention of stagnation is quite dangerous because the seams can disperse, the bandage in this case will protect the seams and contribute to strong scarring.

Also, the bandage will help prevent swelling and bruising, promotes the correct location of organs after heart surgery. And the bandage helps to relieve the load from the organs.

After heart surgery, the patient needs rehabilitation. How long it will last depends on the severity of the lesion and the severity of the operation. For example, after CABG, immediately after heart surgery, you need to start rehabilitation, this is a simple exercise therapy and massage.

After all types of heart surgery, medical rehabilitation, that is, supportive therapy, is needed. In almost all situations, the use of antiplatelet agents is mandatory.

If there is high blood pressure, then ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers are prescribed, as well as drugs to lower blood cholesterol (statins). Sometimes the patient is prescribed physical procedures.

Disability

It should be noted that disability is given to people with diseases of the cardiovascular system even before surgery. There must be evidence for this. From medical practice, it can be noted that they necessarily give disability after coronary artery bypass grafting. Moreover, there may be a disability of both 1 and 3 groups. It all depends on the severity of the pathology.

People who have circulatory disorders, grade 3 coronary insufficiency, or have had a myocardial infarction are also entitled to disability.

Regardless of whether the operation was performed or not yet. Patients with grade 3 heart defects and combined defects can apply for disability if there are persistent circulatory disorders.

Clinics

Name of clinic Address and telephone Type of service Cost

NII SP im. N. V. Sklifosovsky	Moscow, Bolshaya Sukharevskaya sq., 3	CABG without IR CABG with valve replacement Angioplasty and coronary artery stenting RFA Aortic stenting Valve replacement Valve repair	64300 rub. 76625 rub. 27155 rub. 76625 rub. 57726 rub. 64300 rub. 76625 rub.
KB MGMU them. Sechenov	Moscow, st. B. Pirogovskaya, 6	CABG with valve replacement Angioplasty and stenting of coronary arteries RFA Aortic stenting Prosthetic valves Valve repair Aneurysm resection	132000 rub. 185500 rub. 160000-200000 rub. 14300 rub. 132200 rub. 132200 rub. 132000-198000 rub.
FSCC FMBA	Moscow, Orekhovy Boulevard, 28	CABG Angioplasty and stenting of the coronary arteries RFA Aortic stenting Prosthetic valves Valve repair	110000-140000 rub. 50000 rub. 137000 rub. 50000 rub. 140000 rub. 110000-130000 rub.
NII SP im. I.I. Janelidze	St. Petersburg, st. Budapestskaya, 3	CABG Angioplasty and stenting of the coronary arteries Aortic stenting Prosthetic valves Valve plasty Multivalve prosthetics Probing of the heart cavities	60000 rub. 134400 rub. 25000 rub. 60000 rub. 50000 rub. 75000 rub. 17000 rub.
SPGMU them. I.P. Pavlova	St. Petersburg, st. L. Tolstoy, 6/8	CABG Angioplasty and coronary artery stenting Prosthetic valve replacement Multivalve prosthetic RFA	187000-220000 rub. 33000 rub. 198000-220000 rub. 330000 rub. 33000 rub.
MC "Shiba"	Derech Sheba 2, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan	CABG Prosthetic valves	30000 USD 29600 USD
MedMira	Huttropstr. 60, 45138 Essen, Germany 49 1521 761 00 12	Angioplasty CABG Prosthetic valves Cardiac examination Coronary angiography with stenting	EUR 8000 EUR 29000 EUR 31600 EUR 800-2500 EUR 3500
Greekomed	Central Russian office: Moscow, 109240, st. Upper Radishchevskaya, house 9 A	AKSH valve replacement	20910 euros 18000 euros

Do you still think that getting rid of HEART DISEASES is impossible!?

Do you often experience discomfort in the area of the heart (pain, tingling, squeezing)? You may suddenly feel weak and tired… You constantly feel high blood pressure… There is nothing to say about shortness of breath after the slightest physical exertion… And you have been taking a bunch of medications for a long time, dieting and watching your weight…

Bondarenko Tatiana

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