Open Heart Surgery

If you are looking to attend college and have had surgery due to a congenital heart defect, you may have scholarship opportunities available to you. Certain private organizations award heart surgery…

The AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a small device used for resuscitating people who have no heart rhythm. They are small and easy to use, and have been installed in schools, airports and…

Deep hypothermic arrest refers to a medical procedure during surgery which cools the body, lowers blood pressure and slows blood circulation to a stop. Surgeons use this procedure for cardiothoracic…

During open heart surgery, doctors require a bloodless, stationary place to work. To accomplish this, the doctor stops the heart from beating and shunts blood away from it. A heart-lung machine pumps…

The cardiac cycle refers to all the events associated with blood flow through the heart during one complete heartbeat; that is, during one complete cycle of contraction (systole) and relaxation…

According to the American Heart Association, a coronary bypass involves grafting blood vessels onto the heart to reroute blocked coronary arteries, restoring normal blood flow to the heart.…

Heart surgery is one of the most complex surgeries performed by surgeons. This delicate procedure has taken decades to perfect, and new advances are still being made. The history of heart surgery…

Atrial ablation procedures are used to treat patients who experience a variety of heart arrhythmias. Most patients who undergo surgery for an atrial ablation are completely cured of their condition.…

Cardiac ablation is a common procedure used to correct abnormal heart rhythms. Conditions such as Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrial fibrillation, and paroxysmal tachycardias can be cured with…

Open heart surgery is an invasive operation that requires post-surgery lifestyle and diet changes. Your diet plays a vital role in maintaining your overall heart health and is even more important in…

An open colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the colon through a lengthy incision in the abdominal wall. The colon makes up the biggest portion of the large intestine and…

More than two million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) begin to quiver instead of beating rhythmically. This can cause blood…

Perfusion technologists set up and operate the heart-lung machine and other sophisticated equipment used in the operating room. In addition, perfusionists, directed by the surgeon and…

Each year more than 500,000 people in the United States are told that they must have heart surgery, with many of them undergoing open heart surgery. While the idea of undergoing this type of operation…

When an artery has become blocked, a cardiac (heart) stint is frequently the treatment used. Heart stints are installed in 70 percent of coronary angioplasty surgeries. The stint is a tube made of…

Many who undergo open heart surgery worry that the scar will last forever. The incision in the center of the chest is vertical and between 7 and 10 inches long, to allow the surgeon to open the…

Making the commitment to help a senior recover from open heart surgery can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, most patients start to show signs of recovery after 6 to 8 weeks. You can improve…

Having open heart surgery is a life-changing event. You may think that your activity level will be severely restricted after open heart surgery, and having to deal with depression after an open heart…

Open-heart surgery may need to be performed to replace a heart valve or do a coronary bypass. An incision is made on the chest and the sternum is cut open. Not only does the heart have to heal after…

It's a fact of life that, no matter what your medical condition, your treatment options are going to be limited by what your insurance provider will cover. It's important when diagnosed with an…

A consultation is the best place and time for you to ask any questions you may have about open heart surgery. This is an opportunity to have a captive audience with a cardiac surgeon, and to find out…

In addition to the physical and emotional ramifications of surgery, people have to consider how they will pay for the procedure, as well as for medications and post-operative care. Fortunately, there…

When it comes to your health in general, and surgery in particular, it's not true that you can simply "go along for the ride." The choices you make prior to your open heart surgery can dramatically…

As medical technology and understanding progress at astonishing rates, more alternatives to open heart surgery are being scrutinized and brought to market. If you have a condition for which open heart…

Open heart surgery is a major operation and the hours following surgery are considered critical. The duration of your hospital stay after the surgery depends on the exact condition or healing of the…

Open-heart surgery is a major operation that is often risky. Experiencing pain in the operated region is quite common. Make sure you obtain all the relevant information, especially about getting…

Open-heart surgery is usually performed to rectify congenital defects in a heart, to replace a defective valve or to bypass blood supply around blocked heart arteries. To benefit the most from the…

Open-heart surgeries are performed by experts, but you may wonder whether the surgery will have long-lasting benefits. Here's how to know.

Choosing an open-heart surgeon is a major decision. Surgeons differ in quality, experience and services, so choose your surgeon cautiously and only after doing thorough research. Here are some ways to…

Every surgery has its share of complications and risks. If you're having open-heart surgery, the risk of complications will differ depending on your existing health condition. Here are some ways to…