The name Open Heart Surgery is actually a misnomer as it does not specifically refer to the opening of the heart. It refers to a procedure wherein the chest is opened so that a surgical procedure can be performed on the heart. There are instances wherein the heart itself is opened, but it is dependent on the type of procedure being conducted. This type of surgery encompasses many different parts of the heart, including the heart muscle, arteries and valves.

Cardiopulmonary bypass

During the procedure, a cardiopulmonary bypass is used. It is a type of heart lung machine used for a variety of purposes. For one, it provides anesthesia to the patient during the surgical procedure. Another use is to provide a steady supply of oxygen to the different parts of the body.

Cure different ailments

Open heart surgery is regularly performed for a wide variety of patients to cure different ailments. The chance of a successful operation is very high. After the procedure, patients are monitored by hospital staff to ensure a full recovery. There are different types of procedures for open heart surgery, generally depending on the condition suffered by the patient and the overall health of the patient.

Severely damaged heart

One example of this is a heart transplant. This is used when a disease ridden or severely damaged heart needs to be replaced. The replacements are obtained from organ donors, though there are limited amounts available. Patients requiring organ transplants typically have to register for a waiting list.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Another procedure is a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. It is used to clear up arteries that are blocked, which results in a hampered blood flow. The procedure works by transferring healthy blood vessels to another part in such a way as to provide an alternate path for the blood to flow. The number of bypasses depends on the number of blocked arteries.