METHODS/MINUTES

Following are the steps that are required to perform an open heart surgery:

A. Initial Preparation:
To prepare for open-heart surgery, you should follow your healthcare provider’s
recommendations about:
1. Medications: You may need to stop taking certain medicines a week or two before
surgery. People often stop blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin or other medicines that
prevent blood clots and strokes) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
These medicines can increase bleeding risk.
2. Food and drink: Your healthcare team will ask you to fast (not eat or drink) before
your surgery. Anesthesia is safer on an empty stomach.
3. Smoking and alcohol: Cut back on alcohol and quit smoking. Both can slow
postsurgical healing and increase the risk of complications.
4. Chest X-rays, an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other tests to help the surgeon plan the
procedure.
5. Sterilization of the surgical area with antimicrobial (bacteria-killing) soap.
6. An intravenous line (IV) in your arm to provide fluids and medications.

B. During the Surgery:

As we all know Heart Surgeries are very tedious and important. They can take can anywhere
between 6-8 hours to perform.
Following are the steps that will be taken during the surgery:

 The patient is given general anesthesia. This ensures that they will be asleep and
pain free through the whole surgery.
 The surgeon makes an 8- to 10-inch cut in the chest.
 The surgeon cuts through all or part of the patient’s breastbone to expose the heart.
 Once the heart is visible, the patient may be connected to a heart-lung bypass
machine. The machine moves blood away from the heart so that the surgeon can
operate. Some newer procedures do not use this machine.
 The surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to make a new path around the blocked
artery.
 The surgeon closes the breastbone with wire, leaving the wire inside the body.
 The original cut is stitched up.

c. Post-Surgery Care:
Depending upon your recovery you can be kept in the ICU for a day or more.
You can expect to stay several days in the hospital. Your heart care team will explain how to
care for your incision. You may have a special firm pillow to protect your chest when you
cough, sneeze or get out of bed.
After surgery, you may experience:
 Constipation (a common side effect of strong pain relievers).
 Depression or mood swings.
 Insomnia or difficulty sleeping.
 Loss of appetite.
 Memory problems.
 Muscle pain in the chest area.
 Pain, bruising and minor swelling at the incision site.