Open-Heart Surgery

Open-heart surgery, often called traditional heart surgery, involves opening the chest to perform procedures on the heart's muscles, valves or arteries. This essential cardiac surgery is crucial for treating various heart conditions.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common heart surgery for adults and is performed expertly at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton.

Woman and nurse making a heart with their hands

What is CABG, and when is it needed?

CABG surgery involves grafting a healthy artery or vein from an arm or leg to a blocked coronary artery. This allows the grafted artery to bypass the blockage, ensuring fresh blood reaches the heart efficiently.

Individuals with coronary heart disease may require CABG surgery when their coronary arteries become narrow and hard due to plaque buildup, a condition known as arteriosclerosis. This narrowing can lead to heart attacks.

Open-heart surgery may also be employed to:

Repair or replace heart valves
Address damaged or abnormal areas of the heart
Implant devices to maintain heart function

What happens after surgery?

Post-CABG, most patients benefit from cardiovascular rehabilitation at the John and Barbara Tanner Cardiac Rehabilitation Center in the Tanner Health Pavilion.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to aid recovery from heart disease, heart attacks, or heart surgery. It aims to fortify the heart muscle and instill healthy habits to mitigate future heart risks.

Questions?

Contact us at 770-812-5541 to discuss open-heart surgery. Additionally, explore our patient testimonials for more insights.

Open-Heart Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recovery time for open-heart surgery?
Recovery time varies, but most patients spend about six to eight weeks recovering.

Are there risks associated with CABG surgery?
Like all surgeries, CABG carries risks such as infection and bleeding, but it is generally considered safe with a high success rate.

How can I prepare for open-heart surgery?
Preparation includes medical evaluations, lifestyle adjustments and discussions with your healthcare provider.

What lifestyle changes are recommended post-surgery?
Patients are advised to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, including diet changes, regular exercise and stress management.

Open-Heart Surgery

Open-Heart Surgery Patient Testimonials

About cardiothoracic surgeon Omar Lattouf, MD, FACC, FACS

Dr. Omar Lattouf is dedicated to treating patients with heart disease, driven by a passion to restore health and happiness to cardiac patients.

Discover his patient care philosophy by watching his story.

Open-heart surgery

Open-heart surgery, also called traditional heart surgery, involves opening the chest to operate on the heart's muscles, valves or arteries. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common heart surgery for adults and is available at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton.