What is Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery?
Cardiac surgeries are done to treat a wide range of ailments related to the heart. The advancements in medical science have immensely benefitted patients in many ways, minimally invasive cardiac surgery being one of them.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are performed using
small incisions. But to understand the procedure, it is helpful to compare it
with open-heart surgery. In open-heart surgery, the breastbone is cut, which
means the incision is much larger. For a long time, open-heart surgery was the
only option for patients with severe cardiac problems. However, the advent of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has
changed that completely.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery:
This type of surgery involves making small incisions on
the right side of the chest, which makes it easier for surgeons to reach the
heart through the ribs.
The advantage of this surgery:
Unlike open-heart surgery, minimally invasive cardiac
surgery is less painful, has a shorter recovery time, and offers other crucial
benefits. Some of these are as follows:
·
Short hospital stays and quick recoveries allow
individuals to get back to their normal lives without too much interruption. In
other words, they can pick up where they left off without too much hassle.
·
Minimally invasive open-heart surgery has
smaller or barely noticeable scars in comparison to the large scars left behind
by traditional open-heart surgery.
·
Less blood loss
·
Decreased chances of infection
·
Reduced trauma and pain
Who will take benefit from this surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive heart
surgery. The decision of whether to refer a patient for minimally invasive or
open-heart surgery is made after a careful review of many factors, including the
patient's overall health, the condition being treated, and the patient's
medical history. Minimally invasive heart surgery is complex, and it takes
experts trained in the procedure to successfully complete the surgery.
Conditions for which minimally invasive heart surgery is preferred:
·
Mitral valve repair or replacement
·
Atrioventricular septal defect surgery
·
Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation
·
Coronary artery bypass surgery
·
Saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery
bypass surgery
·
Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale
closure
·
Aortic valve replacement
·
Tricuspid valve repair or replacement
The risk factors of this Surgery:
Although minimally invasive cardiac surgeries boast many
advantages, it is important to be aware of the potential risks involved,
including:
·
Stroke
·
Infection
·
Bleeding
·
Loss of life
·
Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Life after Minimally invasive cardiac surgery:
As we've already mentioned, minimally invasive cardiac
surgery will allow you to return to your normal life rather quickly. The
surgery will significantly improve the quality of your life and reduce your
symptoms. Make sure you follow your doctor's advice regarding your day-to-day
activities, such as work, exercise, and driving.
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