Q: open heart surgery risks/chances, what to do?

Complex question: All heart surgery carries risk. Your surgeon and cardiologist should take the time to explain this to you in an individualized manner. If you are not comfortable, then consider a second opinion if the surgery is not truly urgent. You should have some comfort with your surgeon, even if there is tremendous anxiety about the procedure.

Question 1

good morning doctors. i am having a nuclear stress test. if results were bad, could i need more than stents, like bypass or open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

: If the nuclear stress test indicates that you likely have coronary artery disease (when taking your symptoms into account),  you may need to have a heart catherization where dye is injected into the coronary arteries so any disease can be visualized. This test will then determine what treatment is needed-ranging from stents to bypass surgery. But, take it one step at a time-good luck w/ your test!

Question 2

dad had coronary stents and now he has severe chest pain and dyspnea his cardiac contractility function is 32 % is he in need of open heart surgery ?

Accepted Answer

Ask docs: Sounds like you want to check with his cardiologist. I would also advise to see a second opinion cardiologist to feel comfortable about decisions.

Question 3

open heart surgery performed to remove a paraganglioma 3 months ago. blood pressure has gone up again to high120's/90's w/hr 110's. possible causes?

Accepted Answer

Unsure: Seek further evaluation by your primary care physician or cardiologist so things like arrythmia can be ruled out.

Question 4

how risky is open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

CABG 1-2 % mortality: For coronary artery bypass surgery generally in the 1-2% mortality range; for valve replacement 4-5%, higher in re-do surgery.

Question 5

how costly is open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

It depends: What i found is that open heart surgery costs vary widely from the average 'list price' of $125k to the average negotiated price of over $37k (this was for a population of 8808 patients in 912 hospitals).  Since the surgeon charges separately from the hospital, and hospital charges depend on the number of days and the intensity of care, the price could vary widely.  Call your insurance or hospital.

Question 6

how dangerous is open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Factors like your age, general health, other health problems you might have, prior heart surgeries, pumping function of your heart, and, of course, what particular operation is being considered, all affect the risk of a particular surgery.

Question 7

could a third open heart surgery be safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Well, it is technically more difficult for a heart surgeon if the patient has had previous surgery, but it still should be safe and, of course, if the surgery is indicated, that is not a reason not to do it. In deciding about whether to operate on a patient, we compare the risk with the potential benefit.

Question 8

what is the duration of open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Depends: That depends on exactly what is done, how technically difficult it is in that patient, how fast the surgeon is, etc. But probably aboutr four hours. Thel length of time it takes does not necessarily correlate with the success of the surgery. Remember the turtoise and the hare.

Question 9

how likely is surviving open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Very good: Risk factors can change that, but generally the risk from surgery is low< 2% dying, bleeding, infection etc.
Obese, diabetic, renal failure, smokers do not do as well.

Question 10

open heart surgery risks/chances, what to do?

Accepted Answer

Complex question: All heart surgery carries risk. Your surgeon and cardiologist should take the time to explain this to you in an individualized manner. If you are not comfortable, then consider a second opinion if the surgery is not truly urgent. You should have some comfort with your surgeon, even if there is tremendous anxiety about the procedure.

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Doctor answers about:

Open heart surgery vs stent

A member asked:

Good morning doctors. i am having a nuclear stress test. if results were bad, could i need more than stents, like bypass or open heart surgery?

A member asked:

Dad had coronary stents and now he has severe chest pain and dyspnea his cardiac contractility function is 32 % is he in need of open heart surgery ?

A member asked:

Open heart surgery performed to remove a paraganglioma 3 months ago. blood pressure has gone up again to high120's/90's w/hr 110's. possible causes?

A member asked:

How risky is open heart surgery?

A member asked:

How costly is open heart surgery?

A member asked:

How dangerous is open heart surgery?

A member asked:

Could a third open heart surgery be safe?

A member asked:

What is the duration of open heart surgery?

A member asked:

How likely is surviving open heart surgery?

A member asked:

Open heart surgery risks/chances, what to do?

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