Introduction
Heart bypass surgery remains one of the most common surgeries to treat coronary artery disease, where the blood vessels supplying the heart become blocked or narrowed. With advancements in medical science, one of the newer methods that are gaining popularity is beating heart bypass surgery offering several advantages, including reduced complications and faster recovery.
In this blog post, we will explore the details of beating heart bypass surgery, how it differs from traditional bypass surgery, benefits, and complications!
What is Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
Beating heart bypass surgery, also known as off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB), is a type of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
During the procedure, the surgeon uses a healthy vessel from the chest wall or leg to bypass the blocked artery and restore the blood flow to the heart while the heart continues to beat.
Who Is The Good Candidate For Heart Bypass Surgery Performed?
Beating heart bypass surgery is performed in individuals with coronary artery disease, especially those who have pre-existing conditions, including
- advanced atherosclerosis of the aorta
- kidney problems
- chronic lung disease
The procedure may reduce the significant risks of post-surgery inflammation, infection, and irregular heart rhythms. However, the decision to perform the surgery depends on the severity and location of blockages, general heart health and the existence of co-morbidities.
It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider whether you are a suitable candidate for the beating heart bypass surgery.
How Is Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Performed?
The different steps that are involved during beating heart bypass surgery are
- Pre-surgery testing: A surgeon may perform some routine tests, including chest X-ray ECG, and cardiac stress testing before the surgery to evaluate the heart condition.
- Anaesthesia: A healthcare provider will give anaesthesia.
- Making incision: An incision is made through the breastbone to gain access to the heart. If you have minimally invasive beating heart bypass surgery, your surgeon makes a small incision down the middle of the chest and separates part of the breastbone.
- Bypass grafting: Special equipment stabilizes the specific area of the heart being worked on. A vessel is often taken from the chest wall or leg. The heart will keep beating during the surgery. The surgeon will attach the vessel from the chest wall or leg to the aorta and the other end of the vessel to the blocked coronary artery to bypass the blockage.
- Closure of incision: The surgeon will close the incision.
Benefits Of Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
Beating heart bypass surgery offers several significant advantages over traditional heart bypass surgery including.
- Shorter hospital stay and a lower risk of infection
- Takes less time to perform than the conventional procedure
- Quicker recovery rate
- Reduced risk of neurological issues, including stroke and memory impairment
- Better preserving heart function
- Lower chance of complications related to heart rhythm, kidney or liver complications
- Better outcomes, especially among the high-risk patients
Risks And Complications Associated With Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
Beating heart bypass surgery may have a slightly lower risk of complications than traditional heart bypass surgery that uses a heart-lung machine. It is generally a safer and less invasive medical procedure.
However, it may have certain risks like any other procedure, including
- Risk of infection
- Bleeding and haematoma
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Blood clots, which could lead to stroke or heart attack
- Complications resulting from anaesthesia
- Kidney Dysfunction
Certain risk factors, including older age and the presence of other health conditions, including diabetes and kidney problems, may increase the likelihood of complications associated with beating heart bypass surgery.
The main disadvantage of beating heart bypass surgery is that it technically expertise as the grafted vessels have to be connected while the heart is beating.
Recovery After Beating Heart Bypass Surgery
The recovery after beating heart bypass surgery is a gradual process and may vary depending on age, the medical condition of the patient, the complexity of the surgery, and the existence of pre-existing conditions.
It is recommended to follow the instructions provided by the healthcare provider after the surgery and attend regular follow-ups.
Post-surgery recommendations include,
- Avoid driving until the healthcare provider says it is safe.
- Avoid lifting anything heavy for a few weeks
- Take adequate rest and gradually return to activity
- Participate in the cardiac rehabilitation program that focuses on exercise, diet, and managing stress to resume back to normal activities
Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Vs Traditional Bypass Surgery: Key Differences
Traditional heart bypass surgery is performed with the assistance of the heart-lung machine, where the machine takes over the functions of the heart and the lungs, and the heart is still.
In contrast, beating heart bypass surgery is performed where the heart-lung machine is not used, and the heart continues to send blood to the rest of the body during the surgery.
| Criteria | Traditional heart bypass surgery | Beating heart bypass surgery |
| Surgical technique | Uses a heart-lung machine to maintain blood flow while the heart is stopped. Heart beating is stopped | Heart continues to beat during the surgery |
| Use of heart-lung machine | Required | Not used |
| Surgical time | Longer time required | Shorter surgical time |
| Complications | Higher risk of complications | Lower risk of complications |
| Risk of infection | Comparatively higher risk of infection | Lower risk of infection |
| Overall morbidity | Comparatively higher morbidity | Lower overall morbidity |
| Hospital stays | Longer hospital stays | Shorter hospital stays |
Table: Comparison between Traditional heart bypass surgery and Beating heart bypass surgery
Conclusion
Beating heart bypass surgery offers a promising alternative to traditional heart bypass surgery, providing several advantages, including reduced hospital stays, quicker recovery, and fewer complications. However, determining
If you have any queries or would like to learn more about beating heart bypass surgery, please feel free to book a consultation at Heart360 Care!
Frequently Asked Questions
Beating heart bypass surgery is becoming widely available but its availability may vary depending on the hospital, location, and the expertise of the surgical team. It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if it is available in the healthcare facility and whether it is suitable for your condition.
You may experience some pain and discomfort following the surgery, especially in the incision site. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the pain medications to control the pain. The pain will subside as the body heals.
The recovery time after beating heart bypass surgery will vary depending on the type of procedure, whether it is minimally invasive or open with a larger incision. A typical hospital stay after the surgery may take 5 days and most people will be able to return to regular activities after 6-12 weeks.
You may reduce the risk of certain complications after beating heart bypass surgery by following the doctor’s directions for activity, diet, and lifestyle changes and taking medications as directed. If you notice bleeding, fever, pain or any problems at the incision site, notify your healthcare provider immediately.
