Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
If you need heart surgery you are not alone, thousands of people have heart surgery every day. There are numerous types of heart surgery that include the repair or replacement of heart valves, bypass surgery or the widening of blocked arteries and the narrowing of arteries as well, implants that regulate hearty rhythms, creating channels in the heart that allow blood to flow from the heart chamber directly to the heart muscle, and heart transplants.
There was a time when doctors believed that heart surgery would never come to fruition. During World War II surgeons started experimenting with heart surgery, but couldn't figure out how to operate on a beating, moving heart. Another problem these surgeons faced was that the heart could not be stopped for more than a few minutes without causing brain damage, but two major discoveries have made that make heart surgery possible. The heart and lung machine which literally takes over the work of the heart and body cooling applications that allow suitable time for the surgery without causing brain damage.
What is a heart-lung machine?
The cardiopulmonary bypass machine takes over for the heart by replacing the heart's pumping action adding oxygen to the blood. The heart is never still during the operation, which is necessary when the heart has to be opened. Surgeons are able to work on the heart while it's not moving or full of blood because the heart-lung machine takes over the work of the heart.
The heart-lung machine has the capacity to take over the work of the heart and lungs for several hours. A trained perfusion technologist will make sure that the heart-lung machine does its job properly during the surgery by monitoring it the entire time of your surgery.
What are cooling techniques?
Surgeons are able to stop your heart for long periods of time without fear of causing damage to the heart tissue with the aid of cooling techniques. The cool temperatures prevent damage to the heart tissue by reducing the heart's need for oxygen.
The heart may be cooled in 2 ways:
• Blood is cooled as it passes through the heart-lung machine. This cooled blood lowers your body temperature.
• Cold saline water may be poured over your heart.
Once your heart has cooled, the heart slows and stops. By injecting a special potassium solution into the heart this process can be sped up and even stop the heart completely. This allows the surgeon up to 4 hours to work without causing injury to the heart tissue.
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