What You Need to Know - Open Heart Surgeries and CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation)

Cardiac diseases are the number one killer globally. Individuals with sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are highly susceptible to develop cardio vascular diseases. With so much at stake in one's life, family and professional decisions, inflexible choices, deadlines and urgencies, one is left with very little "ME time". Cardiac diseases may not be foreseen, and can strike anytime. Being aware always helps. During a cardiac arrest, immediate help with a CPR can save lives. However, it can happen that time is not on our side, and a bigger decision for a surgery may be needed. Taking an informed, timely decision to manage your health is the key. So #AskOurDoctors!

Here are some inputs from Dr. Yasser Menaissy, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Dr. Rajan Maruthanayagam, Interventional Cardiologist at Zulekha Hospital Dubai.

1. Why should I undergo a surgery? What happens during the open heart procedure?

You should undergo a surgery to be able to lead a normal life after that. Your heart will be back to normal and you can do all the activities you want. During an open heart surgery we use a heart lung machine to do the function of the heart while we do our surgery, then the heart takes over its normal function again.

2. How do I know I really need a surgery? Do we have alternative treatments? What if we opt for those?

You will know if you really need a surgery when your cardiac surgeon and cardiologist decide that surgery is the best choice for you. There are alternative treatments like medications and catheter based intervention depending on your condition. Usually surgery is decided if other modes of treatment are not suitable for you.

3. Does my heart stop functioning during the surgery? What do I expect once I am in a conscious state?

Yes in all heart valve surgeries and some coronary artery bypass surgeries we do stop the heart from beating using a special drug, and then it resumes beating after we finish the surgery. Once the patient is conscious after the surgery, he or she will be able to resume normal life activities.

4. How will my life be after an open heart surgery?

Your life will be back to normal after the surgery and all the preoperative symptoms will disappear. So there will not be chest pain, shortness of breath or awareness of heart beats. And you can do any activity or sport without being tired.

5. How does a CPR help a patient suffering from a cardiac arrest?

A patient with a cardiac arrest has no pulse meaning that there is no circulation. Immediate CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) restarts the circulation and maintains the circulation to vital organs like brain and kidneys during the period of circulatory arrest. This helps in restoring the cardiac rhythm and preserves the function of vital organs like brain once circulation restarts.

6. What is the golden period of time we can save a life through a CPR?

As early as 3 to 6 minutes after cardiac arrest the brain cells start dying. So CPR should be started as soon as possible. In case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest an early by-stander CPR saves the lives. Also in single person CPR, initial chest compression only CPR is useful to maintain circulation till medical help arrives.

7. Does extensive blood loss in any accident lead to a heart attack?

Extensive blood loss following an accident causes loss of blood volume leading to low blood pressure, shock and cardiac arrest. It does not cause heart attack

8. What are some side effects of a heart attack/cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death after heart attack especially before the patient reaches the hospital. After treatment heart attack patients can have reduced heart function depending upon the extent of heart muscle damage during the heart attack. This can cause heart failure and symptoms like breathlessness on exertion, swelling of legs and in severe cases difficulty to perform day to day activities.

For more information, please visit: www.zulekhahospitals.com

Published: Sun 23 Feb 2020, 8:54 AM

Updated: Sun 23 Feb 2020, 2:54 PM

KT Engage