Why
do I need open heart surgery?
Your cardiologist (heart specialist) has referred you to me because he feels your best treatment is to undergo open-heart surgery. I have looked at your case and agree this is your best option.
What
are the alternatives?
One alternative is not to proceed with the surgery and continue with medical treatment which is what you are having at the present time. Other options may include balloon angioplasty, stenting and key-hole surgery. These options should have been discussed with you.
What
is the risk (of losing my life) during this operation?
Open-heart surgery is major surgery and even a routine heart bypass carries a risk of death. During the initial consultation, this estimate will be given to you. This will range from <1% for a routine operation to 25% or greater for high-risk situations
Things that are likely to affect your risk include:
· Age
· Condition of heart
· Other medical problems
· Nature of problem
· Severity of problem
What
complications may occur?
Complications in open-heart surgery occur even under that care of the worlds leading surgeons in the worlds leading hospitals. The most common complications are bleeding and infection. Rare complications include damage to other organs in the body including brain damage and paralysis. I do stress these are very rare.
Is
Allamanda the best hospital for me?
If in my opinion you would be better off in a hospital that specialises in a unique type of operation I will say so. These include such things as heart and lung transplantation, paediatric cardiac surgery and major trauma. The Queensland Health Department has very strict criteria that all open-heart surgery units have to meet. The Health Department inspects our hospital and the results of our surgery regularly.
Will
I need another operation?
An estimate of the likelihood that you will need more open-heart surgery in the future will given to you during the initial consultation. This figure will range in the vicinity of 5% to 20% for most operations. We aim to design operations using the latest techniques such that reoperation is rarely required.
If you are having coronary bypass, I design my operations so that you are less likely to need another operation. This includes the use of the internal mammary artery.
If you have nay other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.