What is Heart Surgery?
Modern heart surgery includes a variety of highly precise procedures performed to repair structural damage, clear blockages, or replace diseased valves in the heart and major nearby vessels. Today, the goal is to deliver life-saving results while reducing physical trauma. This is accomplished through two main types: traditional open surgery (such as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting or CABG) and advanced techniques like minimally invasive surgery (using small incisions and specialized tools) or transcatheter interventions (guided by catheters through blood vessels, such as TAVR). These modern methods focus on faster healing, less pain, and a quicker return to a good quality of life.
What Happens During Heart Surgery?
Yes. Before you even enter the main Operating Theatre (OT), a nurse or anaesthesiologist will insert an IV line and give you sedative medication to help you relax and feel sleepy. You must follow the "nil by mouth" (nothing to eat or drink) instructions given by the surgeon’s team, usually after midnight or for a set number of hours before surgery. This is critical to prevent the risk of food or liquid from your stomach entering your lungs (aspiration) while you are asleep under general anesthesia, which can cause severe complications.
- Once you are in the OT, the anaesthesiologist gives you medications through the IV to induce General Anesthesia. This puts you into a deep, controlled, sleep-like state where you will not feel any pain, movement, or remember the procedure.
- The team places various monitors (ECG, blood pressure, oxygen) and inserts a breathing tube connected to a ventilator (breathing machine) to breathe for you during the operation.
- For major surgery, you may also be connected to a Heart-Lung Machine (Cardiopulmonary Bypass) to temporarily take over heart and lung functions.
- You’ll be surrounded by a skilled cardiac surgeon, assisted by surgical specialists, guided by an anaesthesiologist who manages your vital functions, supported by a perfusionist if a heart-lung machine is needed, and cared for by attentive operating room nurses who oversee instruments and safety throughout the procedure.
- During surgery, the surgeon carries out the required repair, whether it’s a bypass or valve procedure, using open or minimally invasive techniques. The operation typically lasts 3–6 hours, depending on complexity.
- Once the repair is complete, the team restores your heart’s natural rhythm, disconnects the heart-lung machine if used, and closes the incisions.
Which Patients are Advised to Undergo Heart Surgery?
The decision to undergo heart surgery is highly personalized and generally reserved for severe conditions. Surgery is typically recommended for patients with:
- Severe Blockages (Coronary Artery Disease - CAD): When plaque buildup significantly blocks multiple major arteries (such as "triple vessel disease") or the critical Left Main Artery, making it unsafe to treat with stents (angioplasty) alone. This situation requires Bypass Surgery (CABG).
- Heart Valve Problems: When heart valves become too stiff (stenosis) or leak excessively (regurgitation), causing the heart to work too hard and leading to symptoms like severe shortness of breath or fatigue. This situation necessitates Valve Repair or Replacement.
- Other Complex Conditions: This includes repairing major blood vessel bulges (Aneurysms), correcting major heart rhythm problems (Arrhythmias) that do not respond to other treatments, or addressing Congenital Heart Defects (problems present since birth).
With modern medicine, age is no longer the sole limiting factor. The decision is based on the patient's overall physical condition.
Which Advanced Tools are Used in Heart Surgery?
These tools are all designed to give your surgical team maximum control and visibility while minimizing the impact on your body, ultimately helping you heal faster and get back home sooner.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery (e.g., Da Vinci System)
A sophisticated system where the surgeon sits at a console, looking through a 3D, high-definition camera. They control highly flexible robotic arms that hold tiny surgical instruments. The robotic arms enter your chest through small, "keyhole" cuts instead of a large chest opening. The robot translates the surgeon's hand movements into extremely small, precise motions inside your body, even filtering out any natural hand tremors. This means less trauma to your body, less pain, smaller scars, and a much quicker recovery time.
Catheter-Based Procedures (Minimally Invasive)
Instead of opening the chest, a specialist inserts a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in your leg or groin. Using real-time X-ray imaging, they guide the catheter all the way to your heart. This method is used for various repairs, such as:
- TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): Delivering a new heart valve to replace a diseased one without open surgery.
- Stenting: Placing a tiny mesh tube (stent) inside a blocked artery to hold it open.
This approach requires only a tiny puncture rather than a large incision, often allowing you to leave the hospital much sooner.
Hybrid Operating Room
This is a state-of-the-art operating room that combines a traditional surgical theater with advanced medical imaging equipment, like high-power X-ray or CT scanners. It allows surgeons and heart specialists (cardiologists) to work together on the same patient simultaneously. For example, a surgeon might perform a small part of a bypass, and a cardiologist might immediately place a stent, all in one session. It offers the best of both surgical and catheter-based worlds without moving you between rooms, making it safer for complex cases.
Heart-Lung Machine (Cardiopulmonary Bypass)
A machine that temporarily takes over the job of your heart and lungs during certain open-heart surgeries. It pumps your blood and adds oxygen to it, circulating it through your body. By doing the work of your heart, the machine allows the surgeon to operate on a still and bloodless heart, necessary for intricate repairs like valve replacements or complex bypasses. While modern techniques allow for "beating heart" surgery, this machine remains crucial for many standard operations.
How Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, Helps Heart Patients Heal Faster and Recover Stronger?
Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, actively accelerates healing and enhances recovery for heart patients through a combination of expertise and advanced technology. The hospital recently partnered with KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad, to create a premier Heart & Lung Transplant Centre in North India. This strategic alliance brings Dr. Sandeep G. Attawar's leadership and KIMS' renowned success rates in thoracic organ transplantation to Gurugram, providing patients access to top-tier skills for complex heart and lung treatments.
Artemis's experienced cardiac surgeons have performed over 5,000 successful open-heart surgeries and conduct a wide array of procedures, from intricate bypasses to TAVI, with excellent results. They utilize state-of-the-art technology such as Advanced Cardiac Catheterization Labs, Hybrid Operating Suites for combined procedures, and Robotic-Assisted Surgery to enable minimally invasive techniques that significantly shorten recovery times and hospital stays.
How to Book an Appointment at Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram?
You can book an appointment at Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, through three main methods. The quickest way is by calling their main Call Center number (+91 98004 00498). Alternatively, you can use the Online Appointment section on the official Artemis Hospitals website to select a doctor, date, and time. For immediate, life-threatening situations, always use the Emergency Contact Number (+91-1244588888).
Article by Dr. Surendra Nath Khanna
Chairperson, Adult Cardiac Surgery & Heart - Lung Transplant
Artemis Hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of heart surgery?
Heart surgery includes procedures like bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement, congenital defect correction, aortic surgery, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
What is the cost of one heart surgery?
Costs vary widely based on the procedure, hospital, and patient condition. Most surgeries can range from moderate to high depending on complexity and technology used.
Is heart surgery high risk?
Every surgery has risks, but modern cardiac care, advanced technology, and experienced surgeons make heart surgery much safer than before.
What happens 10 years after open-heart surgery?
Many patients live healthy lives for decades. With lifestyle control, regular follow-ups, and medications, long-term outcomes are usually very good.
Is heart surgery safe?
Yes. With modern techniques and expert cardiac teams, heart surgery is considered safe for most patients when done under proper evaluation.
How long are you in the hospital after open-heart surgery?
Generally, patients stay 5 to 7 days, depending on their recovery, stability, and type of surgery.
What is heart surgery called?
Heart surgery is often referred to as cardiac surgery or cardiothoracic surgery, depending on the procedure.
How is life after heart surgery?
Most patients return to normal routines with better heart function. Regular exercise, medicines, cardiac rehab, and lifestyle changes help ensure a strong recovery.
Which is the nearest heart surgery hospital in Gurugram?
Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, is a major center offering advanced cardiac surgery services.
Who is the best heart surgeon in Gurugram?
Gurugram has several experienced heart surgeons; patients often choose based on expertise, experience, and hospital facilities. Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, provides all the necessary facilities and a team of the best surgeons to attend to the patient.
