Are you suffering from chest and heart diseases and looking for a cardiac and thoracic surgeon? You can opt for experts like Dr. Gary P Jones, a surgeon certified and experienced who can deal with your condition. Read about cardiac surgery and why it might be a suitable option for your chest and cardiac condition.
Table of Contents
Purpose of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery
The surgery deals with organs of the thorax, including the heart and lungs, and it diagnoses and treats cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Cardiothoracic surgery helps open coronary arteries if a fatty plaque has narrowed it; it also allows the repair of your weakened heart muscles and in cases of heart defects, including correction of heart rhythm problems.
Forms of Cardiothoracic Surgeries
· Angioplasty
This form of surgery helps in the restoration of healthy blood flow to the heart through the reopening of the arteries that a fatty plaque has narrowed
· Stent placement
Your cardiac surgeon will place a small coil in the narrowed artery to hold it open, and this is done by first performing angioplasty to compress the plaque in the artery.
· Ablation
This form of surgery is used to treat your abnormal heart rates. The process that will be conducted includes destroying some areas of the heart muscle.
· Pacemakers
The pacemakers are used to correct abnormal heartbeats; your surgeon may recommend the device implant where necessary.
· Heart transplant
If you suffer from severe heart disease and need a new heart from a donor, this surgery implants a new heart to replace a weak heart.
· Heart valve repair
Open heart surgery may be conducted if your heart valves have been damaged, allowing for replacing the valves.
· Carotid surgery
The surgery is simple, and it is used to remove the plaque in your carotid arteries; carotid arteries are the main arteries in your neck and play a significant role in supplying blood to your brain.
The Side Effects of the Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeries
Thoracic surgery has some risks and potential complications, including severe reaction to the anesthesia used during the surgery, bleeding and infection, blood clots, and bleeding in your brain. You can suffer from stroke, seizures, or even brain damage. There is a possibility of getting a heart attack, injury in the nerves and esophagus which makes swallowing food and water difficult. It can lead to the forming of plaque in your arteries.
Recovery Process
If you experience pain in the first week after thoracic surgery, you should keep your head propped up on pillows while lying down, and it will help reduce the swelling. Avoid strenuous activities in the first few weeks after the surgery, like driving and lifting heavy objects, until your doctors approve it. Finally, watch the post-surgery symptoms and visit the doctor if necessary.
Conclusion
Cardiothoracic surgery will help you treat conditions related to the heart, lungs, and chest. The type of surgery administered depends on the nature of your condition. To ensure that you get a quick recovery after the surgery, ensure that you follow the instructions given by your doctor.