The Cardiac Surgery Team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Experienced and dedicated Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons lead a
team of lifesaving healthcare professionals. The team comprises Cardiac
Anesthesiologists, Perfusionists, registered nurses, and a Surgical Scrub
Team. The Center's high volume of surgeries and low morbidity and mortality
attest to the quality of care provided by our expert team.
Procedures performed include, but are not limited to:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting – CABG
Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery
MAZE Procedure
Transmyocardial Revascularization
Robotic-assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Heart Defect Repairs
Minimally Invasive Surgeries
Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery:
Heart valve repair or replacement surgery is a specialized cardiac procedure
that addresses issues with heart valves that may be causing dysfunction.
Surgeons gain access to the heart through the breastbone, or if the patient
is a candidate for minimally invasive open-heart surgery, the surgeon
gains access through a smaller incision between the ribs on the right
or left side of the chest. This surgery can involve repairing a damaged
valve using an annuloplasty ring or replacing the valve with either a
tissue or mechanical valve. Valve surgery aims to improve the heart's
function as a pump, restore normal blood flow, and alleviate symptoms
associated with valve disorders.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG):
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a standard surgical procedure
performed to improve blood flow to the heart muscle in individuals with
coronary artery disease. During CABG, a section of veins from the leg,
chest, or body part bypasses a coronary artery's blocked or diseased portion.
This creates a new pathway for blood to flow, delivering oxygen to the
heart muscle and allowing it to function correctly. CABG is often referred
to as single, double, triple, or quadruple bypass surgery, depending on
the number of blocked arteries that require bypassing. The surgery involves:
Stopping the heart temporarily
Diverting blood through a heart-lung machine
Attaching the graft to reroute blood flow around blockages
CABG is a well-established procedure that helps relieve symptoms, improve
heart function, and enhance the quality of life for patients with coronary
artery disease.
Understanding Heart Surgery
The cardiac surgery team performs elective and emergency heart surgeries.
The most common procedures performed by the team are coronary artery bypass
graft surgery and heart valve repair or replacement. The surgeons gain
access to the heart through the breastbone, or if the patient is a candidate
for minimally invasive open heart surgery, the surgeon gains access through
a smaller incision between the ribs on the right or the left side of the
chest. The heart is stopped and cooled. The blood usually pumped by the
heart is sent through a heart-lung machine. In coronary bypass surgery,
the saphenous (leg) vein, radial (forearm) artery, and/or the internal
mammary (chest wall) artery are used to bypass the blocked heart arteries
called a graft. One end will be attached to the ascending aorta, the large
artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the
body. The other end of the graft will be attached to a coronary artery
below the blocked area. It is like being on the freeway with bumper-to-bumper
traffic; you would take the exit to bypass the blocked area. This procedure
improves the blood supply to the heart muscle, intended to relieve symptoms
and prevent damage. Valve repair with an annuloplasty ring or valve replacement
surgery with either a tissue or mechanical valve improves the heart's
function as a pump. Before any valve surgery, patients need to complete
all dental work. Dental infections can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream
and infect the new heart valve. This condition is challenging to treat.
After Valve surgery, patients need to:
Possibly take a blood thinner
Take antibiotics about an hour before going to the dentist or before any
invasive procedure or surgery
Report any skin, foot, or hand infections to the doctor so that they can
be treated aggressively to prevent spreading the infection to the blood
or the heart valve.
You should report high fevers that last a long time or keep coming back
because fevers may indicate an infection that could spread to the blood
or a new heart valve. The main goal of heart surgery is to enable patients
to resume an active and satisfying life.
Preparation For Heart Surgery
Surgery Scheduled Electively With Pre-admission
After meeting with the heart surgeon at the hospital or their office, surgery
is scheduled through the Cardiac Surgeon's Office. Pre-surgery education
is provided to you and your family before your scheduled procedure.
You will be required to come to the hospital as an outpatient before your
heart surgery to have preoperative testing completed the day before surgery.
You will need to bring your insurance information and a list of your current
medications with you. You will visit the departments listed below in the
following order:
1. Pre-Admit Unit (PATS)
PATS is located in the Robert and Beverly Lewis Outpatient Pavilion right
next to the hospital. You will register and complete your pre-admission
testing, which includes blood work, EKG, and chest x-ray. Do not remove
the red wristband. PATS hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
2. Admitting
On the day of surgery, you will come to the hospital at 5:00 am. Check-in
with the front desk; they will direct you to the Admitting Office. It
is located just off the front lobby on the first floor and is open Monday
through Friday at 5:00 am.
Preparation
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your
scheduled surgery. Check with your doctor about taking your regular medications
on the day of the procedure. If you take any blood thinners, vitamins,
or supplements, you will need to stop them one week before surgery.
The Day of Admission/Surgery
You must arrive at the hospital at 5 am on the day of surgery. This allows
for admission and preparation. Upon arrival, please go directly to the
Admitting Office located just off the front lobby on the first floor.
You will then be escorted to your room. In preparation for surgery, you
will have your hair removed with clippers from your neck to your ankles.
You will meet other members of the Cardiac Surgery Team, including the
nursing staff and anesthesiologist. An intravenous line will be started
in your arm.
Family Support
For comfort and privacy, many families return home during the surgery.
Your family will be updated regularly during the surgery to inform you
of the progress of the surgery. As surgery nears completion, family members
are given information regarding the patient's time of arrival out of surgery
and when they may visit. Family members are welcome to wait in the Intensive
Care Waiting Room on the 2nd floor by elevator E, or the front lobby,
should they desire. Visits from family and close friends can help speed
recovery. For information regarding visiting, please refer to the hospital
Visitors Guide.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery begins in the CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit). You
can expect to be in the hospital for 5-7 days, including 1-2 days in the
Intensive Care Unit. Each patient's temperature, blood pressure, heart
rate, heart rhythm, and other parameters are closely monitored. A breathing
tube in the windpipe aids breathing. The patient cannot talk during the
time this tube is in place. A stomach tube in the nose or mouth prevents
nausea and vomiting. The nurses and respiratory therapists instruct the
patients to cough and help them perform deep breathing exercises to clear
their lungs and upper airways.
For the first 1-3 days of recovery, patients will have chest tubes to help
keep the lungs expanded and drain any fluid from the surgery site. Pressure
monitoring lines in the blood vessels allow close surveillance of blood
pressure and heart function. Patients may also have temporary pacemaker
wires in case the heart rate slows.
Throughout the post-operative recovery period, patients can anticipate
assistance from several members of the Cardiac Care Team. In addition
to doctors and nurses, a respiratory therapist, dietician, physical therapist,
Cardiac Surgery coordinator, and, if necessary, social worker will visit.
A caseworker from your health insurance provider may assist you and your
family with home and discharge planning.
As recovery progresses, patients and their families are educated about
the causes and treatment of heart disease, the healing and rehabilitation
process, nutrition, exercise, stress management, emotional adjustments,
and smoking cessation. They are also given information on our Outpatient
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
The cardiac surgery team performs elective and emergency heart surgeries.
The most common procedures performed are coronary artery bypass, graft
surgery, and heart valve replacement. Surgeons gain access to the heart
through the breastbone, or if the patient is a candidate for minimally
invasive open heart surgery, the surgeon gains access through a smaller
incision between the ribs on the right of the left side of the chest.
In coronary bypass surgery, the saphenous (leg) vein radial (forearm)
artery and/or the internal mammary (chest wall) artery are used to bypass
the blocked heart arteries. This procedure improves the blood supply to
the heart muscle, intended to relieve symptoms and prevent damage. Valve
repair or replacement surgery with either a tissue or mechanical valve
enhances the heart's function as a pump. The main goal of heart surgery
is to enable patients to resume an active and satisfying life.
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