Open Heart Surgery
Every week, cardiovascular surgeons perform eight to 12 open heart surgeries to treat coronary heart disease and replace damaged heart valves in Baptist Health Paducah's dedicated cardiothoracic surgical suite.
Staffed by two specially-trained open heart teams, the suite includes a dedicated recovery area in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where patients are cared for immediately after surgery and nine additional operating rooms equipped for open heart surgery.
Baptist Health Paducah also offers minimally invasive open heart surgery as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafts for patients who have only one or two blocked arteries. Minimally invasive open heart surgery uses a combination of ports (small holes) in the chest and a small incision made directly over the coronary artery which needs to be bypassed. The goal is to avoid using a heart-lung machine.
Baptist Health Paducah also provides hospitality rooms for any family members who wish to stay overnight at the hospital for the first 24 hours after their loved one has undergone open heart surgery. Area hotels also offer rooms at reduced rates for families who need a place to stay overnight. Patient families can check with the hospital supervisor for a list of participating hotels.
For more information on open heart surgery at Baptist Health Paducah, phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.
Staffed by two specially-trained open heart teams, the suite includes a dedicated recovery area in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where patients are cared for immediately after surgery and nine additional operating rooms equipped for open heart surgery.
About Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass surgery is used to reduce the symptoms of coronary artery disease and to prevent future heart attacks in patients who have major blockages in their coronary arteries. These blockages are the result of atherosclerosis, a condition which causes fatty deposits to build up in the arteries, slowing the flow of blood. When atherosclerosis involves the coronary arteries, the result is coronary heart disease. Over time, as the coronary arteries continue to narrow, angina (pain or discomfort in the chest which occurs during exercise or emotional stress) or a heart attack can result. Coronary artery bypass surgery uses vein grafts taken from a patient's leg, arm or inside the chest to create a "bypass" or detour so blood can go around the blockages in the coronary artery and reach the heart.Baptist Health Paducah also offers minimally invasive open heart surgery as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafts for patients who have only one or two blocked arteries. Minimally invasive open heart surgery uses a combination of ports (small holes) in the chest and a small incision made directly over the coronary artery which needs to be bypassed. The goal is to avoid using a heart-lung machine.
About Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
Heart valve replacement surgery has become a common operation. There are many reasons why a heart valve may not be working as well as it should. A small defect that has been present since birth may worsen over time. Certain diseases such as rheumatic fever or bacterial infections may cause scarring or destroy heart valves. In addition, the aging process can weaken or harden heart valves. Heart valves that are seriously deformed, degenerated or destroyed can be removed surgically and replaced with a new valve mechanism at Baptist Health Paducah.Families Are An Important Part of the Healing Process
Baptist Health Paducah recognizes the stress that open heart surgery places on families, as well as the patients themselves. That's why we teach both patients and their families what to expect during and after surgery. It's also why we notify family members of the patient's condition, how the procedure is going and whether the patient is on or off bypass equipment at least twice during the surgery.Baptist Health Paducah also provides hospitality rooms for any family members who wish to stay overnight at the hospital for the first 24 hours after their loved one has undergone open heart surgery. Area hotels also offer rooms at reduced rates for families who need a place to stay overnight. Patient families can check with the hospital supervisor for a list of participating hotels.
Follow-Up Program
Open heart surgery patients are being sent home earlier than ever before, many alone or with elderly spouses. Most patients are not seen by their surgeons until six weeks after surgery. During the time between discharge and the six-week check-up, questions may arise about the recovery process. To help answer these questions and screen for potential complications, a registered nurse at Baptist Health Paducah calls all open heart patients after they are discharged.For more information on open heart surgery at Baptist Health Paducah, phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.