The burden of cardiovascular disorders has been increasing rapidly, taking around 17 million lives of patients every year. The most common heart problems include arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, etc. The increasing numbers result from behavioural risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, alcohol and cigarette usage, and inactivity. Various procedures are performed to manage heart problems, such as coronary angioplasty, valve replacement, heart bypass surgery, etc.
In this article, Dr. Sujay Shad, the best Heart Surgery Doctor in India, discusses coronary bypass surgery in detail. Read on to learn more.
What is Bypass Surgery?
A heart bypass surgery is a procedure that helps to improve the blood flow and supply of oxygen through the heart. During this procedure, the surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from a different body part and attaches it to the blocked portion by ultimately bypassing it. Diverting the blood flow with the help of coronary bypass surgery is a well-known treatment for atherosclerosis, which causes coronary artery disease. Individuals who are obese and have a high-fat diet are susceptible to such a disease. Although the open-heart technique makes this procedure invasive, keyhole and robotic surgery have been developed to lessen the invasiveness.
Who Needs a Heart Bypass Surgery?
When a waxy substance known as plaque deposits on the arterial wall, the blood flow to the heart gets affected, which causes a heart attack. One needs bypass surgery if the arteries are narrowed or blocked and when medication and angioplasty fail. The cardiologist will ask one to undergo several diagnostic tests or procedures. Based on the test results, the cardiologist will determine how severe the heart disease is, the number of arteries blocked, and where they are narrowed. Depending on the tests, a CABG is advised.
What are the Different Types of Heart Bypass Surgery?
Depending on the blocked arteries, the surgeon will recommend the type of bypass surgery. These include:
Single bypass: One artery is blocked
Double bypass: Two arteries are blocked
Triple bypass: Three arteries are blocked
Quadruple bypass: Four arteries are blocked
The number of blocked arteries affects the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, heart failure, or other cardiac problems. More artery blockages also raise the probability that the procedure will take longer or be more complex. To learn more about the Bypass Surgery Cost in Delhi, consult Dr. Sujay Shad, the best cardiac surgeon, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
What Happens During Heart Bypass Surgery?
During the surgery, a breathing tube is inserted in the mouth, which gets attached to a ventilator. The surgeon makes an extended cut in the middle of the chest. He will spread a rib cage open to reach the heart. The surgical team uses medications to stop the heart. With the help of a heart-lung machine, blood and oxygen flow through the body while the heart stops beating. The surgeon will remove a blood vessel, called a graft, from other areas of the body, such as the chest, legs, or arms. The surgeon will attach one end to the aorta, a large artery that comes out of the heart, and the other end gets connected to an artery below the blockage. The graft creates a new route for the blood to travel to the heart. If one has multiple blockages, the surgeon may perform more bypass procedures during the same surgery. This includes double bypass, triple bypass, etc. In some cases, the surgeon may not stop the heart. These are referred to as “off-pump” procedures. Some surgeries rely on the help of robotic devices, and the surgeon will recommend the best operation for the patient.
What Happens After Heart Bypass Surgery?
The patient is taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring the condition. One will be still breathing with the ventilator and may have after-heart bypass surgery side effects, including:
Pain with deep breaths
Pain when coughing
Pain at the incision site
These are normal and will disappear in a few days. The vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, will be regularly monitored while one is in the ICU for one to two days. After the condition becomes stable, the patient will be shifted from the ICU to the normal room and discharged in 3 to 5 days. Before leaving, the medical team will give instructions on how to take care of themselves and the dos and don’ts to follow after the surgery.
Are there any Risks Associated with Bypass Surgery?
Every procedure carries a unique set of risks. The risks of surgery depend on factors such as the patient’s lifestyle, age, the extent of the disease, the surgeon’s experience, and post-operative care. Some of the risks of coronary artery bypass surgery include the following –
1. Bleeding before or after the surgery
2. Respiratory issues
3. Blot clots that dislodge and lead to stroke or heart attacks
4. Pneumonia
5. Kidney failure
6. Infection near the sutures
7. Graft failure
How Long is the Recovery of Bypass Surgery?
Recovery from heart bypass surgery is a slow process that can take two to three months. After surgery, it’s quite normal to feel sad and uneasy. The surgeon will set up several follow-up sessions throughout the first few months to monitor the progress. However, one should visit the surgeon immediately if one feels worse or experiences any symptoms. This include:
Increased heart rate
Fever above 100 degrees
Discharge or redness around the incision
Increased chest pain
What are the Tips for Quick Recovery from Bypass Surgery?
Stay away from driving for 4 to 6 weeks.
Refrain from involving in intense workouts. One can perform cardiac rehabilitation instead if recommended by the surgeon. Cardiac rehabilitation is a customised exercise program offering lifestyle education and nutrition. After completing this program, one can work on fitness.
Perform household work when one recovers.
Most patients can resume their work after six days. However, if the job involves physical tasks, one must ask the surgeon before continuing the work. It can take three months to resume work with full strength.
The recovery time depends on the overall health, the activities one performs, and the number of bypass surgeries one has had.
For more information about bypass surgery, one can book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
