Open Heart Surgery
The most invasive
procedure. If diet and exercise not effective in treating heart disease,
medication usually prescribed. If still persists causing pain an invasive
procedure usually performed. Several types to improve blood supply to heart.
Coronary arteriography (mapping of coronary arteries) used to locate arterial
blockages done using procedure called cardiac catheterisation. Thin plastic
tube (catheter) guided through artery in arm or leg and leads it into the
coronary arteries. Inject liquid dye into catheter. Visible on X-ray.
Percutancous
Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) one option. Angioplasty or balloon
angioplasty. Guide a catheter toward blocked area of artery. Second catheter
with small balloon on tip passed through first catheter. When tip reaches
blocked area, balloon inflated. Compresses the plaque build-up widening the
artery for blood flow. Finally, balloon is deflated and removed. Coronary
Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) takes healthy blood vessel. Construct a detour around
blocked coronary artery. One end grafted (attached) right below blockage while
other end grafted right above blockage. Blood flow restored. In double bypass
surgery two grafts performed. In triple three grafts. Quadruple is four grafts.
Most radical is
transplant of heart or part of heart. PatientŐs diseased heart removed and
healthy donor heart attached. Complicated operation because so many blood
vessels have to detached and re-attached. Patient is connected to a heart-lung
machine that keeps blood circulating. Rejection is a problem. Tissue type must
be a perfect match so not many such operations. Many patients donŐt survive the
wait for a donor heart.