Heart Surgery

Heart surgery is done for a variety of reasons and ranges from minimally invasive procedures to actually removing the heart and replacing it with a donor heart.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) - A coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) restores blood flow to the heart muscle. This is done by using blood vessels from other parts of your body to make a new route for blood to flow around blocked coronary (heart) arteries. At Vanguard West Suburban Medical Center, we are able to perform a CABG both with and without using a heart lung machine
• Heart Valve Repair - This surgery replaces a damaged heart valve. Usually, only one valve is replaced at a time. During the procedure the patient is connected to the heart-lung machine, which takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during the surgery. The cardiac surgeon then stops the heart, makes an incision, removes the damaged valve and stitches the new valve into place. The surgeon will then confirm the valve opens and closes properly. The incision in the heart will be closed, and the heart will be restarted. Once the heart is working fine, the surgeon will remove you from the heart-lung machine and close the chest. Lastly, the skin will be closed with sutures.
• Heart Valve Replacement - During this surgery, a damaged heart valve is replaced. During the procedure the patient is connected to the heart-lung machine, which takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during the surgery. The cardiac surgeon then stops the heart, makes an incision, removes the damaged valve and stitches the new valve into place. The doctor will check to make sure the valve opens and closes properly. The incision in the heart will be closed, and the heart will be restarted. Once the heart is working fine, the doctor will remove the patient from the heart-lung machine. The chest will be closed with wires. Lastly, the skin will be closed with sutures.
• MAZE procedure (Microwave of Atrial Fibrillation) - The MAZE procedure is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. During the procedure, a cardiologist uses of small incisions, radio waves, freezing or ultrasound waves to create scar tissue. The scar tissue created blocks the abnormal electrical impulses causing the arrhythmia.