Cardiac procedures
The Prince Charles Hospital performs the whole spectrum of cardio-thoracic operations, including elective and emergency procedures. In addition to the surgical team, you will be cared for by a team of Intensive Care and ward nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians along with your team of doctors including anaesthetist and intensive care specialists.
Aortic dissection is when the aorta, the largest artery connecting the heart to the whole body, tears. This is a life threatening situation and requires an emergency operation. The operation involves replacing the dissected aorta with a graft. This may also necessitate aortic valve replacement and aortic arch replacement.
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, carrying blood from the heart to the whole body. A diseased aorta can dilate or enlarge (aneurysm) or dissect and rupture. Aortic surgery replaces the aorta with prosthetic grafts. Aortic replacement involves using a cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine). Sometimes, deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest is needed and there is a higher procedural risk with operations requiring this surgical technique. Long term surveillance is required after any aortic operation.
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that may cause sluggish blood flow through the heart. Surgery to treat atrial fibrillation is performed in combination with valve and/or coronary surgery or as a standalone procedure. The surgery aims to restore normal rhythm and is an alternative treatment option to taking medications such as anticoagulants (blood thinners). If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, speak with your surgeon about this procedure
Coronary artery bypass grafting is the surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. It restores the flow of blood to the heart by bypassing the blockages in the heart blood vessels using arterial/ venous conduits. The operation can be performed with or without the aid of a bypass machine. An uncomplicated coronary operation involves a hospital stay of 1 day before surgery and 5 to 7 days post-surgery. It remains the only modality of revascularisation with proven longevity to the patient.
Minimally invasive surgery is performed with the use of video assisted technology and small operating ports through the chest wall. It minimises trauma, surgical and deep sternal wound infections and is better from a cosmetic and pain point of view. Some heart valve operations can be performed via minimally invasive surgery. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive operation.
Valve surgery repairs or replaces diseased heart valves. You can ask your surgeon if your valve is repairable or needs replacement. If it needs replacement, you may be able to choose between a tissue valve and mechanical valve. Tissue valves are either porcine or bovine and do not need long term warfarin (blood thinner) therapy. However, they are subject to degeneration in 10 to 20 years and may need reoperation. Mechanical valves normally last a person’s lifetime but need long term warfarin therapy. Warfarin may have an impact on your lifestyle including your diet and participation in contact sports/adventure activities. You can discuss these issues with your treating team. This is still the gold standard of care for patients with diseased heart valves.
