Re: Heart Bypass
To OP,
I am not going to say heart bypass is nothing to worry about. Its a serious and delicate operation. However, in the hand of good surgeon the success rate is very high and it is not only the surgeon but patient factors make a great difference in themselves.
Bypass operation as pointed out above is simply a bypass of the clogged/blocked/pinched arteries by veins mostly from legs and artery from inside chest.
Off pump means surgery on beating heart and on-pump surgery is cooling the heart in high potassium water so it stops beating and the heart lung machine pumps blood in to the body.
There is also a kind of surgery which is called minimally invasive bypass only for few selected patients which means the whole chest is not opened.
Recovery in otherwise healthy people is within three days and up to 5 days.
Intubation of lungs is only for overnight for most cases.
Wound care is important.
Stopping smoking before surgery is of great help.
A lot depends on heart own pumping ability (Ejection Fraction). A strong heart has good recovery and weak heart before surgery may make recovery prolonged.
Some extra wires are placed at times to heart chambers for a few says in some cases to be able to beat the heart by a pacemaker in case it is needed.
A good cough with pillow tightly held against chest to clear lungs also helps after surgery.
Kidney function and more importantly liver function has to be good for operation to be successful
Risks of heart attack, stroke and death are major problems. Still in the range of 1-3 percent if person is otherwise has good heart. Clogged carotid arteries in neck make stroke more likely and need to be checked before operation.
Other problems may be infection of chest, leg or lungs. Some people with bad lungs may need intubation longer.
Overall bone healing requires 6 weeks just like any adult bone fracture.
No driving during this period is advised due to airbag trauma to chest in case of accident.
**Bypass has not solved all the problems **but may be necessary or only chance in people with too many and too much blockages.
Veins are known to block in one year by 15% and in10 year close to 50%.
Arterial bypass has better chance of being open even up to 20 years.
My advice: *Find a good surgeon with good reputation.
*
These days ballooning and stenting is another good option for suitable patients. and many surgeons have limited experience even during training because of reduced numbers of bypass and more ballooning and stenting.
This was realistic
........and now I will say Good luck and all the best wishes.
*Successfully Bypassed patients live long and happily and even known to do diving from airplanes with no problem.
*
Regular yearly check up is required.
If possible, upload/type the angiography report.
I know it is a very distressing time but you also need to put your health and that of your child first.