Heart Surgery

Types of Heart Surgery in India - Procedures Available for International Patients

This short explains some of the common types of heart surgery. The specific procedure you may need depends on your heart condition, your general health, and your surgeon's recommendation.

Common heart procedures

Surgeons perform several types of heart surgery to treat a range of conditions.

• Bypass surgery. Coronary artery bypass grafting, or CABG, is performed to treat blocked arteries. It reroutes blood flow around the blockages to improve blood supply to the heart muscle.
• Valve surgery. This can involve repairing a damaged heart valve or replacing it with an artificial one. This helps the heart pump blood more efficiently.
• Aneurysm repair. This procedure is done to repair a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. This prevents the aneurysm from rupturing.
• Arrhythmia surgery. For some types of irregular heartbeat, surgery may be an option to correct the electrical pathways in the heart. This can include a maze procedure or implanting a device.

Minimally invasive and robotic surgery

For certain patients and conditions, surgeons can use techniques that involve smaller incisions than traditional open-heart surgery.

• Smaller incisions. Minimally invasive surgery uses several small cuts instead of one large one. This can lead to less pain and a quicker recovery period.
• Robotic assistance. A surgeon may use a robotic system to perform complex procedures with greater precision. The surgeon is in full control of the robotic arms at all times.
• Catheter-based options. Some procedures, like certain valve replacements, can be done using a thin tube called a catheter inserted through a blood vessel. This avoids open surgery entirely.
• Is it for you? The choice between open surgery and a minimally invasive approach is decided on a case-by-case basis.

The suitability of any procedure depends on your individual case. A final treatment plan is only made after a specialist has reviewed your medical reports and recent imaging.