Different Types
Of Heart Surgery
How to better understand the terms the
doctors use
Whenever talking about heart surgery, we are referring to a surgical procedure that fixes a problem with a
patient’s heart. In most cases the patients that need such a surgery are scared. It is completely normal to be
scared. Let us understand the different types of heart surgery. This will give you more information so that you can
know what you are up against when the doctor mentions some terms.
Coronary Artery Bypass
Grafting
A really common type of heart surgery is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting or CABG for short. It is normally done
on a patient that is suffering from a coronary artery disease. In many situations plaque, a fatty material is
accumulated right inside a coronary artery. This will block arteries and automatically reduce blood flow.
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Located near the famous Tower Bridge,
the Keyhole Heart Clinic can be found at London Bridge Hospital |
The surgeon will take a vein or an artery from the patient’s leg, chest or another body part. They will be
grafted and then connected with blocked arteries. CABG will help bypass blockages. One surgery is needed and a
maximum of 4 coronary arteries can be blocked in one operation.
Transmyocardial Laser
Revascularization
Also known as TLR, this heart surgery will be done in order to treat angina. Surgeons use this as a final
treatment option when other options failed. Laser technology is utilized in order to make channels inside heart
muscles. The channels let blood flow directly from chambers to heart muscles.
Valve
Replacement/Repair
Valves are made out of flap sets that are known under the name leaflets. The leaflets allow the blood to pass to
arteries from heart chambers when they are opened. After blood passes, leaflets close in order to stop the blood
from getting back. In order to overcome such a problem, surgeons perform valve replacements or repairs. The
replacement valves are comprised of animal tissue or human tissue. Alternatively, man-made substances are
utilized.
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It's completely normal to be scared before heart
surgery,
but knowing what to expect should ease your fears. |
Aneurysm
Repairs
The aneurysm refers to an abnormal bulging that appears inside the artery walls or inside the heart muscle. In
most situations this will happen in the heart chamber that is as to the left side as possible. As time passes,
aneurysms can become worst and will burst, thus leading to internal bleeding. It is possible it can lead to a heart
attack.
Surgeons will overcome this by carrying out surgery to replace weak artery sections with grafts. When the
situation allows it, minimally invasive heart surgery can be performed by specialists like those at the Keyhole Heart Clinic.
Heart
Transplants
This is usually performed only on patients that have a really weak heart that would fail in pumping suitable
quantities of blood for body requirements. This is a surgery type that aims to replace diseased or un-healthy
hearts. When other surgical procedures fail, this is the one surgery that is chosen by the surgeon and the only
option available. Just patients that are really sick or that need the heart transplant in order to survive will be
considered for the operation. Also, only a particularly skilled surgeon can perform a heart transplant so make sure
that you choose your doctor carefully if this is the only option left.
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