Open Heart Surgery In Chennai

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This is the traditional type of surgery in which the chest is opened, and surgery is performed on the heart muscles, valves, arteries, or other parts of the heart. Open-heart surgery is a major operation requiring specialised skill and experience, and Heart360 Care in Chennai provides the best consultation and treatment for it.

What Is Open-Heart Surgery?

Doctors usually recommend open heart surgery in case of cardiac issues like heart failure, issues with the heart valves, arrhythmias, etc. In this conventional surgical approach, the surgeon accesses the heart by cutting through the breastbone.

In this procedure, your heart will be stopped temporarily, and the function of the heart will be taken up by a heart-lung bypass machine or bypass pump during surgery. Blood is supplied throughout the body during surgery using the heart-lung machine.

Our Doctor

Dr. Nikhil P.J.Theckumparampil

Heart Specialist & Cardiac-Surgeon Robotic & Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) TAVR / TAVI Specialist. Senior Consultant Apollo Hospital

Gold Medalist in MBBS
Trained at Harvard University, Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University and Temple University.
Graduated Top of his class in Cardiac Surgery.
Awarded Pennsylvania, USA, “Top Doctor”.
One of the busiest Robotic Heart Surgeons in the USA performing over 200 robotic assisted cardiac surgeries.
Trained and published in LVAD and Heart Transplantation.
Returned to India after 17 years in the USA.
Associate Professor and Senior Consultant Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.
Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Board of CardioThoracic Surgery
Only American Board Certified Cardiac Surgeon Currently practicing in India

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Open-Heart Surgery?

Ideal candidates for open-heart surgery are individuals having heart issues, such as blocked or narrowed arteries (coronary artery disease), heart valve problems, congenital heart defects (like holes in the heart), severe heart failure, etc.

A cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon will thoroughly examine the patient and perform diagnostic tests. They will then discuss the potential risks and benefits of the surgery to determine if the patient is a good candidate. Factors such as the overall condition of the heart, age, severity of symptoms, previous treatments, etc, are crucial in deciding on an open heart surgery.

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Types Of Open Heart Surgery

Generally, there are main types of open heart surgery:

On-pump surgery: In on-pump surgery, the heart is stopped, and a heart-lung machine takes over the job of pumping blood and oxygen through the body. This method is often used for complex heart procedures like bypass surgery, fixing or replacing heart valves, or repairing certain heart defects. The machine keeps blood flowing and provides oxygen to the body while the surgery is being performed.
Off-pump surgery: This surgical method is done while the heart is still beating. Hence, it is also called “beating heart surgery”. Here, special tools and equipment keep the heat functioning even though it is being operated on. Off-pump surgery is usually done for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

The Open-Heart Surgery Procedure

Before the Open-Heart Surgery:

Before the surgery, a series of tests, including blood tests, imaging studies, and a physical examination will be done on the individual.
Patients need to quit smoking and cut short on the consumption of alcohol.
Certain medications, like blood thinners, will be stopped a week or two before the surgery.
The chest area will be shaved and sanitised for performing the operation.

During the Open-Heart Surgery:

Patients will be given anaesthesia to ensure they are asleep and pain-free during the operation.
The surgeon makes a long incision on your chest, cutting through the skin and muscles to reach the heart.
If the surgery is on-pump, a heart-lung machine is connected to take over the functions of the heart and lungs.
The surgeon repairs or replaces the heart, such as bypassing blocked arteries, fixing or replacing heart valves, or correcting congenital defects.
The heart-lung machine is slowly disconnected as the heart begins to function normally again.
Once the surgery is finished and the heart is functioning well, the surgeon will close the incision.

After the Open-Heart Surgery:

Patients are monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for close observation after surgery.
The patient may have to stay in the hospital for many days.
Full recovery may take a few weeks to several months, depending on the patient’s health and the surgery type.
Make sure to do follow-up appointments and monitor for any complications.

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What Are The Risks Or Complications Of Open-Heart Surgery?

Risk of infection at the incision site or within the chest cavity
Severe Bleeding
Irregular heart rhythms, heart attack, or even strokes
Damage to surrounding areas/ tissues
Irregular heartbeat
Allergy to anasthesia
Blood clots
Stroke

Cost Of Open-Heart Surgery In Chennai

The cost of open-heart surgery is generally around 300,000 INR; however, the amount can vary depending on the following factors:

The complexity of the procedure: More complex surgeries generally involve higher costs due to the need for advanced techniques and longer operative times.
Hospital and Facility Fees: High-quality or specialised centres might charge more for their services.
Reputation of the surgeon: Experienced and highly specialised surgeons might charge higher fees.
Pre-Surgical Tests and Consultations: The costs of pre-surgical evaluations, tests, and consultations with specialists are included in the total expense.
Post-Surgery Care: Follow-up care, including hospital stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) or regular ward, medications, rehabilitation, and any additional treatments or therapies, adds to the overall cost.
Location of the hospital: Hospitals in major cities or regions with higher living costs may have higher medical expenses.

Why Choose Heart360 Care For Open Heart Surgery In Chennai

Heart360 Care, led by Dr. Nikhil P.J. Theckumparampil, is a top choice for heart surgeries in Chennai. Dr. Nikhil has done over 3,000 heart surgeries and has studied at well-known institutions like Harvard and Vanderbilt.

He is skilled in advanced methods such as robotic heart surgery and valve replacements using tools like the Medtronic CoreValve and Edwards Sapien valve. He also performs procedures that don’t require cuts, having completed more than 400 transcatheter valve replacements. Dr Nikhil is also experienced in treating heart rhythm problems with a procedure called Cox Maze IV.

Heart360 Care focuses on caring for patients with kindness and creating personalised treatment plans. Our centre in Chennai is easy to reach for patients and their families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs open-heart surgery?

Open-heart surgery is usually suggested for individuals with blocked arteries, heart valve problems, heart defects present from birth, severe heart failure, and bulging blood vessels (aneurysms), to name a few.

Who is not a candidate for open-heart surgery?

Open-heart surgery is not a suitable choice for some people. For example, individuals with poor overall health, elderly people with multiple health issues, patients with advanced kidney or lung disease, severe obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or active infections are all not good candidates for open-heart surgery. Having these issues will make the surgery complicated and reduce the success rate.

What is the success rate of open-heart surgery in Chennai?

The success rate of open-heart surgery depends on many factors, such as the overall health of the individual planning to get the surgery, the expertise of the surgeon, the facilities in the hospital, the type and complexity of the surgery, the patient’s age, etc.

How painful is open heart surgery?

Usually on days soon after the surgery, you will feel some pain in or near the incision site and it may accompany some muscle soreness, and chest discomfort. Doctors will prescribe pain medications to manage it. The pain will gradually improve within a few weeks as the wound heals.

How soon can I return to normal activities?

Most patients can start light activities in a few weeks, but it might take 2 to 3 months to do more strenuous tasks. Your doctor will give advice based on your situation.

What is the age limit for open-heart surgery?

While age can impact the risk and recovery process, there isn’t a strict age limit for open-heart surgery. Many elderly patients have successfully undergone the surgery, although the chances of complications are higher in individuals above the age of 70.

How long does open-heart surgery take?

The duration of open-heart surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure. It typically lasts between 3 to 6 hours, but this can vary.