Frequently Asked Questions

What is Open Heart Surgery?

The Open Heart Surgery or most commonly called as the traditional heart surgery is the surgery done to repair or replace the heart valves or to correct the irregular heart rhythms or to correct the blocked blood vessels of the heart or even to treat congenital heart defects or heart transplants.

Based on the health condition/diagnosis of the patient, the surgeon can choose to perform either open-heart surgery (traditional) or minimally-invasive surgery with the help of catheters. The types of Open Heart Surgery performed depends on the initial diagnosis of the patient and the extent of the surgical correction required. The following are the types of Open Heart Surgeries:

1. Aortic Valve Surgery (Repair or replacement of aortic heart valves)
2. Arrhythmia Surgery (Surgical repair of irregular heart rhythms)
3. Congenital Heart defects
4. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts 
5. Heart Transplant

What are the advantages of Open Heart Surgery?

The advantages of Open Heart Surgery are as follows:

1. It helps in reducing the symptoms of Congenital heart defects
2. Decreases the risk of recurrence of a heart attack
3. Improves the life expectancy of an individual
4. Treatment for various heart conditions like atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, etc

What are the indications of Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the indications for Open Heart Surgery:

1. Blockage of arteries
2. Less blood flow to the heart
3. Chest pain or Angina
4. Shortness of breath
5. Artherosclerosis or formation of plaque around blood vessels

What is the preparation for Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the steps to prepare before the surgery:

1. The present and past medical history and medication history of the patient will be evaluated by the doctor.
2. The doctor will suggest the patient to undergo different lab tests before the surgery.
3. The patient must inform the use of any blood thinners or painkillers to the doctor. 
4. Some imaging and diagnostic tests will be performed to diagnose the condition of the heart and the related tissues or blood vessels.
5. The patient is advised to stop eating or drinking before 6 hours of the procedure.
6. Inform the doctor of any known allergies towards anesthesia or to any known contrast dye.
7. Discuss all the risks, complications, and benefits associated with the Open Heart Surgery with the doctor.
8. The patient would be asked to sign the consent form before undergoing this surgery.

What are the steps involved in Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the steps involved in Open Heart Surgery:

1. General anesthesia will be given to avoid pain during the surgery.
2. The devices for monitoring the essential vital signs like blood pressure, the oxygen level will be connected and monitored throughout the surgery.
3. An incision will be made in the middle of the chest by the surgeon.
4. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is connected. It circulates oxygenated blood throughout the body while the surgical procedure is going on.
5. A cooling technique will be used by the surgeon to lower the core body temperature. So that; the heart uses less oxygen. This technique helps in suspending the body's processes and making the heart surgery possible. It also helps in reducing the risk of heart or brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
6. Once the body is stabilized, the surgeon will do the necessary surgical corrections to the valves or muscles or the blood vessels of the heart or tissue surrounding it.
7. Once the necessary surgical corrections are made, the heart-lung bypass machine will be disconnected and the heart blood supply will be restored.
8. Then the incisions will be closed with the sutures and bandage and then shifted to ICU.

What is the postsurgery care/recovery care for Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the post-care steps for Open Heart Surgery:

1. After the completion of the procedure, the patient will be transferred and monitored in the hospital until the sedation wears off.
2. Treatment will be given to the patient if symptoms like weakness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing occurs. 
3. Certain pain medications will be prescribed by the doctor for the pain.
4. Report to your doctor immediately if bleeding is seen at the incision site.
5. The patient is recommended to avoid heavy or strenuous physical activities for at least a period of 1 to 2 months after the surgery.
6. The patient should visit the doctor for regular followups after the surgery for assessing/monitoring the health condition.

Who can perform Open Heart Surgery [Right specialist type for Open Heart Surgery]?

Open Heart Surgery can be performed by a certified and skilled Heart surgeon or a Cardiologist who is well experienced in performing Open Heart Surgery.

What is the cost of Open Heart Surgery?

The cost of Open Heart Surgery may vary according to the following factors:

1. Admission fee
2. Doctor fee
3. Age of the patient
4. Type of surgery performed
5. The medical condition of the patient
6. Post-surgical complications that are involved
7. Admission room that you opted for
8. Any other lab tests or examination tests such as X-ray, ECG, etc

The minimum cost for Open Heart Surgery in Hyderabad starts from Rs.2,00,000

The average cost for Open Heart Surgery in Hyderabad is approximately Rs.2,50,000

The maximum cost for Open Heart Surgery in Hyderabad is up to Rs.3,60,000

Is Open Heart Surgery a major surgery or minor surgery?

Open Heart Surgery is considered a major surgery as it involves the use of general anesthesia, an incision to the chest, etc.

What is the eligibility criteria for Open Heart Surgery?

The eligibility criteria for Open Heart Surgery are as follows:

1. Individuals at risk of developing a heart disease
2. People who are suffering from angina
3. Individuals with severe chest pain during rest or stress
4. People suffering from severe atherosclerosis [the blockage of blood vessels]
5. Individuals with congenital heart diseases

What is the ineligibility criteria for Open Heart Surgery?

The ineligibility criteria for Open Heart Surgery are as follows:

1. Individuals suffering from severe kidney disease
2. Patients who are currently on medications such as blood thinners and antiplatelets
3. Patients are allergic to anesthesia

What are the risks and complications associated with Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the risks or complications involved in Open Heart Surgery:

1. Bleeding
2. Infections 
3. Irregular heartbeat
4. Kidney problems
5. Stroke
6. Heart attack (sometimes the blood clot breaks after the surgery)
7. Loss of memory or difficulty to make decisions (this may be improved within 6 to 12 months after the surgery)

How long does it take to complete Open Heart Surgery?

Open Heart Surgery may take up to 3 to 6 hours to complete.

What is the success rate of Open Heart Surgery?

The success rate of Open Heart Surgery can range between 90-95% depending on the type of surgical procedure involved.

Is Open Heart Surgery painful?

Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and some discomfort. You won't be experiencing pain during this process because you will be under general anesthesia. There may be some discomfort after the procedure.

Is Open Heart Surgery permanent?

Open Heart Surgery is a permanent surgery which involves the incision of the chest and surgical correction of the blood vessels or muscles or heart valves to increase the overall quality and life expectancy of the patient.

What are the long-term results of Open Heart Surgery?

The following are the long-term results of Open Heart Surgery:

1. Medium to long-term survival is achieved
2. Improvement in the symptoms of heart diseases

Can Open Heart Surgery be detected in future?

Open Heart Surgery can be detected in the future with physical examination(surgical scars on the chest) or other screening and imaging tests.