Your heart, an organ roughly the size of your fist, plays an essential role in keeping you alive and well. However, a combination of medical or lifestyle factors can lead to cardiovascular disease—a condition that claims more lives in the United States than any illness. If you experience a heart problem, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to fix the issue. Heart surgery may help treat the condition, relieve symptoms and prevent onset of further complications.
The specialists at Altru offer the latest in heart surgery interventions. Our team ensures each patient understands what happens during surgery and what recovery and follow-up care look like. If your healthcare provider has determined heart surgery is the best treatment for your condition, you can feel confident knowing the team at Altru will lead you every step of the way.
Types of Heart Surgery Procedures and Treatment
- Coronary artery bypass surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, usually the chest, leg or arm, and grafts it to the coronary artery. This creates a new channel for blood flow that will bypass a blocked artery.
- Do you qualify? Patients with coronary artery disease experience narrowed arteries that make it difficult for the heart to receive blood and oxygen. If conservative methods fail to open blocked arteries, your healthcare provider may recommend coronary artery bypass surgery.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a damaged valve without the need for open-heart surgery. During this procedure, a cardiothoracic surgeon will make small incisions in either the groin or chest to insert a new valve. With time, the new valve will expand the damaged valve and take charge of regulating blood flow.
- Do you qualify? This procedure is used to treat patients with aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows and restricts proper blood flow. TAVR is often recommended for patients at high risk for regular valve surgery, as it may cause fewer complications.
- WATCHMAN. This is a permanent implant used to reduce the stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation unrelated to a heart valve problem. Only one procedure is needed to insert the WATCHMAN device. An incision is made in the leg, and the device is guided to the heart and permanently placed to keep blood clots from escaping.
- Do you qualify? For those with atrial fibrillation unrelated to a heart valve problem, the WATCHMAN device can reduce stroke risk by closing off the left atrial appendage. This area of the heart is where most stroke-causing clots come from.
Why Choose Altru for Heart Surgery?
Heart surgery does not have to be scary. Altru has a talented team of cardiothoracic surgeons that specialize in advanced heart surgery techniques and minimally invasive procedures. You can feel confident that the providers at Altru not only have the knowledge and expertise to fix a heart problem but also listen to their patients and provide valuable moral support.
Your heart health can’t wait. Schedule an appointment through MyChart or call 701.780.6054.
