Know your options for surgery
Compiled By ERICKA P. THOMPSON
Angioplasty
What it does
Tiny balloons are threaded through a blood vessel and into a coronary artery to widen blocked areas where blood flow to the heart has been reduced or cut off.
This surgery is often combined with implantation of a stent to help prop the artery open and decrease the chance of another blockage.
It is considered less invasive because the body is not cut open. The procedure can last from 30 minutes to several hours but often requires an overnight hospital stay.
Reason for surgery
Greatly increases blood flow through the blocked artery and reduces risk of a heart attack.
Laser Angioplasty
What it does
Laser angioplasty is similar to angioplasty except that the catheter has a laser tip that opens the blocked artery.
Reason for surgery
Increases blood flow through blocked arteries.
Bypass Surgery
What it does
Treats blocked heart arteries by creating new passages for blood to flow to your heart muscle. It works by taking arteries or veins from other parts of your body – called a graft – using them to reroute the blood around the clogged artery.
A patient may undergo several bypass grafts, depending on how many coronary arteries are blocked. This procedure usually requires several days in the hospital.
Reason for surgery
Bypass surgery is one of the most common and effective procedures to manage blockage of blood to the heart muscle and also improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. In addition, it relieves chest pain, reduces risk of heart attack and improves ability for physical activity.
Minimally Invasive
Heart Surgery
What it does
This surgery is an alternative to standard bypass surgery. Small incisions, or ports, are made in the chest. Chest arteries or veins from your leg are attached to the heart to “bypass” the clogged coronary artery or arteries. The instruments are passed through the ports to perform the bypasses. The surgeon views these operations on video monitors rather than directly.
Reason for surgery
Manages blockage of blood flow to the heart and improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Artificial Heart
Valve Surgery
What it does
Individuals who have this surgery will have their abnormal or diseased heart valve replaced with a healthy one.
Reason for surgery
Restores function of the heart valves.
Heart Transplant
What it does
Removes a diseased heart and replaces it with a healthy human heart when a heart is irreversibly damaged. Individuals will receive a heart from organ donation.
Reason for surgery
It restores heart health in appropriately selected patients.
