Open-heart surgery is any type of surgery where the chest is cut open and surgery is performed on the muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart.
Open-heart surgery is sometimes called traditional heart surgery. Today, many new heart procedures can be performed with only small incisions, not wide openings. Clinic Center offers all types of open heart surgery, except from heart transplantation, carried out by a highly experienced medical team with affordable prices. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you want to have a face to face consultation before coming to Istanbul. You are more than welcome to visit us at our office in London. Clinic Center is a company that is registered in the UK.
When is open-heart surgery needed?
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of heart surgery done on adults. During this surgery, a healthy artery or vein is attached to a blocked coronary artery. This allows the attached artery to “bypass” the blocked artery and bring fresh blood to the heart. A coronary artery bypass graft may be necessary for people with coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen to the heart muscle become narrow and hard. This is often called “hardening of the arteries.”
Hardening occurs when fatty material forms a plaque on the walls of the coronary arteries. This plaque narrows the arteries, making it difficult for blood to get through. When blood can’t flow properly to the heart, a heart attack may occur.
Open-heart surgery is also done to:
- Repair or replace heart valves, which allow blood to travel through the heart
- Repair damaged or abnormal areas of the heart
- Implant medical devices that help the heart beat properly
- Replace a damaged heart with a donated heart (heart transplantation)
How is open-heart surgery performed?
An average CABG takes from three to six hours. It’s generally done following these basic steps:
- The patient is given general anaesthesia. This ensures that they will be asleep and pain free through the whole surgery.
- The surgeon makes an 8- to 10-inch cut in the chest.
- The surgeon cuts through all or part of the patient’s breastbone to expose the heart.
- Once the heart is visible, the patient may be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine. The machine moves blood away from the heart so that the surgeon can operate. Some newer procedures do not use this machine.
- The surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to make a new path around the blocked artery.
- The surgeon closes the breastbone with wire, leaving the wire inside the body.
- The original cut is stitched up.
Sometimes sternal plating is done for people at high risk, such as those who’ve had multiple surgeries or people of advanced age. Sternal plating is when the breastbone is rejoined with small titanium plates after the surgery.
What are the risks of open-heart surgery?
Risks for open-heart surgery may include:
- Chest wound infection (more common in patients with obesity or diabetes, or those who’ve had a CABG before)
- Heart attack or stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lung or kidney failure
- Chest pain and low fever
- Memory loss or “fuzziness”
- Blood clot
- Blood loss
- Breathing difficulty
- Pneumonia
Recovery, follow-up, and what to expect
Taking care of yourself at home immediately after open heart surgery in Turkey is an essential part of your recovery.
Incision care
Incision care is extremely important. Keep your incision site warm and dry, and wash your hands before and after touching it. If your incision is healing properly and there is no drainage, you can take a shower. The shower shouldn’t be more than 10 minutes with warm (not hot) water. You should ensure that the water doesn’t hit the incision site directly. It’s also important to regularly inspect your incision sites for signs of infection, which include:
- Increased drainage, oozing, or opening from the incision site
- Redness around the incision
- Warmth along the incision line
- Fever
For our patients we provide aftercare, if you have any questions after your procedure you can ask them.
Pain management
Pain management is also incredibly important, as it can increase recovery speed and decrease the likelihood of complications like blood clots or pneumonia. You may feel muscle pain, throat pain, pain at incision sites, or pain from chest tubes. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication that you can take at home. It’s important that you take it as prescribed. Some doctors recommend taking the pain medication both before physical activity and before you sleep.
Get enough sleep
Some patients experience trouble sleeping after open-heart surgery, but it’s important to get as much rest as possible. To get better sleep, you can:
- Take your pain medication a half hour before bed
- Arrange pillows to decrease muscle strain
- Avoid caffeine, especially in the evenings
Open Heart Procedure in Turkey All Inclusive Package
We understand that having packages that include everything is important. That is why we are providing it to our patients. So they can just focus on what they came for and not have to deal with the hotel arrangements or transfers. In our packages patients receive these:
Internationally Certified Doctors
Clinic Center partner cardiologist(s) is/ are picked after a close examination and once we are satisfied with their expertise, we become partners. With us our patients are always in good hands.
Check-up
If the patient has stayed at the hospital, on the discharge day, Clinic Center cardiologist or host will inform the patient of the check up day and doctor with also provide the patient with aftercare information so that the patient can have a successful recovery. More information about our aftercare can be reached here: https://cliniccenter.co.uk/aftercare-service
Accommodation at a 4-star Hotel
Anyone would need a proper rest after any sort of surgery or a plane trip. That is why Clinic Center ensures that all of their patients have the best and comfortable stay until it is time for them to go back home.
Transfers with VIP car
We provide transfers between airport-hotel-hospital.
International Patient Host
You weren’t alone before you came, when you are going to the hospital you won’t be alone either. But this time you will have an “International Patient Host”. You may ask what does an “International Patient Host” do? Why would I need one? Well, when you are at the hospital, you will need to read, then sign papers. Then get the tests done, go to the doctor, nurses will say or ask something, during discharge you will surely need some help, and of course the check up day, again you may need help. Your host will help you with the said things. Also, if the doctor prescribes you medication, your host will be there to help you to get them. The last thing Clinic Center wants is their patients to get nervous that is why all of our patients get a host, so that they get the necessary assistance. This way, you can only think of the maze cardiac surgery and then focus on recuperating.
Open Heart Surgery FAST FACTS
| Duration | 3-6 hours |
| Hospital Stay | 1 week |
| Anaesthesia | General Anaesthesia |
| Recovery | 6-12 months |
| Exercise | At least after 6 months |
| Scars | Chest |
Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. It is not advice on your specific needs and circumstances. It does not replace the need for you to have a thorough consultation, so you should get advice from a suitably qualified specialist and surgeon.