Open-heart surgery in Chicagoland

CABG surgery
During CABG surgery, you are placed under general anesthesia and are asleep. Your surgeon makes an incision in the chest. A heart-lung machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs while your surgeon operates on the heart.

Healthy blood vessels are removed from your legs or chest and used as a graft. The graft is attached to the blocked or narrowed coronary artery. This bypasses the blockage to allow blood to flow freely to the heart muscle. Multiple grafts may be used to bypass multiple blocked arteries.

Once the surgery is complete, your chest incision is closed and you are taken off the heart-lung machine. Your care team closely monitors your condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recovery time in the ICU varies.

Post-surgery care
Instructions for care after your surgery may include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, follow-up appointments, and cardiac rehabilitation.

CABG recovery
Recovery from open-heart surgery is different for each patient. Some may recover within a few weeks, while others may need a longer healing time. Ascension Illinois provides cardiac rehabilitation programs to help patients regain strength and improve their overall heart health.

Valve repair
During open-heart valve repair and replacement surgery, you are placed under general anesthesia and connected to a heart-lung machine. The heart-lung machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure. Your surgeon makes an incision in the chest to reach your heart and the damaged valve. Based on your overall health and valve condition, your surgeon may repair or replace the total valve. To repair your valve, your surgeon may remove excess tissue, repair any tears, or reshape the valve to help improve function.

Valve replacement
If your valve is severely damaged and repair is not an option, a valve replacement may be recommended. The most common types of replacement valves are mechanical valves and biological valves. Mechanical valves are made of metal or ceramic and can last a lifetime. Biological valves are made from animal tissue or donated human tissue and may need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years.

Once the surgery is complete, your chest incision is closed and you are taken off the heart-lung machine. Your care team closely monitors your condition and recovery in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recovery times in the ICU vary.

Post-surgery care
Instructions for caring for yourself after surgery may include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, scheduling follow-up appointments, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Valve repair or replacement recovery
Recovery from open-heart surgery is different for each patient. Some people may recover within a few weeks, while others may need a longer healing time. Ascension Illinois connects patients to our cardiac rehabilitation programs to help patients regain strength and improve their overall heart health.

Hybrid and surgical procedures
Whenever possible, your surgeon will recommend cardiac surgery using minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive procedures may help shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of complications. At Ascension Illinois, hybrid and surgical ablation procedures may be recommended as part of your care plan:

• Concomitant surgical radiofrequency ablation
• Cox-Maze IV
• Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO)
• Robotic convergent procedure
• WATCHMAN™ device

AFib is an underdiagnosed condition that affects millions of people. Risk factors for AFib include:

• Advanced age
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Diabetes
• Enlargement of the chambers on the left side of the heart
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Ischemic heart disease
• Moderate to heavy alcohol use
• Obesity
• Smoking

Talk to your doctor if you have any risk factors and are concerned about AFib or if you have symptoms of AFib.

Patient evaluation
Your doctor may recommend a series of tests and evaluations to determine if an ICD is right for you. Tests often include an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and other cardiac assessments. Your heart care team will explain all treatment options and answer any questions you may have.

ICD surgery and post-surgery care
During ICD implantation surgery, you are under local anesthesia. With local anesthesia, your surgeon numbs the area where the surgery will take place. You are still awake and are aware of your surroundings during this procedure. Your surgeon makes a small incision in the chest and inserts the medical device. After the device is implanted, you may experience some discomfort and soreness at the incision site.

ICD surgery recovery
Regular follow-up appointments help your heart care team monitor the function of the ICD and make any necessary adjustments. At each appointment, talk with your care team about any unusual symptoms or concerns. Your doctor will evaluate your physical health as well as the condition of your device. NOTE: The ICD may require periodic battery replacements, and certain movements may disrupt your device. If you notice any abnormal activity, such as beeping, please notify your care team.

Patients and caregivers should also be aware of the importance of emotional health following the procedure. You may experience a range of emotions, including feeling anxious or afraid, as you adjust to life with the implanted device. These are all normal emotions and reactions.

Seek support from loved ones, join a support group, or speak with a mental health provider at Ascension Illinois. Talk with your doctor about your concerns, and we can connect you with the right care.

Patient evaluation
First, you’ll meet with your doctor and heart function care team. Your doctor may recommend a series of tests and evaluations to determine if a VAD is right for you. Tests and assessments help your doctor to better understand your heart condition, support network and overall health. Every patient receives a detailed care plan. Your doctor will take the time to discuss benefits and potential risks as well as answer all your questions – big and small.

VAD surgery and post-surgery care
A VAD is surgically implanted while you are under general anesthesia. After the surgery, you are closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) to help ensure the device is working properly.

Following the ICU stay, you will continue your recovery at the hospital. Recovery times may vary from person to person. At Ascension Illinois, we recommend physical therapy (PT) and rehabilitation as soon as possible to help you regain strength and mobility. We provide inpatient rehabilitation while you are at the hospital. And, we connect you with PT specialists close to home. Your heart function care team will monitor your progress, provide guidance and adjust your care plan, if needed. This process continues even after you leave the hospital.

VAD surgery recovery
Regular follow-up appointments help your heart care team monitor your overall health, your device and make any necessary adjustments.

After surgery, you may also experience emotional and mental challenges. You may feel a range of emotions, including relief and gratitude, but also anxiety or fear. Talk with your care team if you have concerns, and we can connect you to the right specialists to help address your mental and emotional health. We can also help you adjust to your new lifestyle and recovery at home.

Stay connected with your care team at Ascension Illinois and schedule your regular follow-up appointments. Your care team can provide recommendations for lifestyle changes, including diet and exercises that can help the effectiveness of your VAD.

Heart surgery is a medical procedure that helps repair problems with your heart. Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace coronary arteries and heart valves, implant medical devices to improve an irregular heartbeat or repair damaged structures in the heart. Transplant is offered at some Ascension sites of care. Our transplant surgeons may replace a damaged heart with a healthy heart from a donor. Whenever possible, our heart surgeons deliver advanced surgical care from minimally invasive procedures to open-heart surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery, such as angioplasty, TAVR, MitraClip™, and stent placement, may be an option for your care. This type of surgery may mean a shorter recovery time and lower risk of infection. Sometimes your doctor may recommend open-heart surgery as the best option for your care plan. When you choose Ascension sites of care, your surgeons and care teams deliver a personalized surgical care plan. Your care from surgery to recovery and beyond is connected. Together, your team of doctors deliver advanced heart and vascular care to help improve your heart function.

Our cardiologists, heart surgeons and vascular specialists have expertise in the latest cardiovascular testing, treatments and procedures:

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation, cardioversion and WATCHMAN™
• Cardiac angioplasty and stent placement
• Heart valve replacement and repair (such as TAVR and MitraClip™)
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD)
• Open-heart surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), maze AFib surgery, ventricular assist device (VAD) and heart transplantation
• Structural heart damage repair, including aneurysm repair

Talk to your doctor about heart surgery options that are right for you.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of heart surgery done nationwide. At our surgical centers and hospitals, your heart surgeon may recommend CABG as part of your surgical care plan. During the surgery, your surgeon replaces a clogged coronary artery by taking a healthy artery or vein from elsewhere in your body. That artery is connected to the heart muscle to bypass the clogged artery. CABG can be done on one to four arteries to help improve heart function.

Recovery after heart surgery may be different for each person and type of surgery. Whenever possible, minimally invasive techniques may be used. Minimally invasive procedures may help shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of complications. For some conditions and types of surgeries, there may be a longer recovery. Some Ascension hospitals may have cardiac intensive care units and cardiac rehabilitation to support your care and recovery when needed. Talk with your doctor about your surgical care plan and ask questions about what you can expect and how to prepare for care at home and life after surgery.

Cardiac catheterization, also called cardiac angiogram, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, not an open-heart surgery. To reach the heart, your interventional cardiologist inserts a thin, flexible tube through an artery in the groin, arm or neck. This tube allows your doctor to check for partial or total blockages in the artery. During an angiogram catheterization, your doctor can also measure blood pressure within the heart and evaluate the blood flow through your heart’s chambers.

When you are facing a serious diagnosis or deciding on a surgical treatment plan, there is a lot to think about. If you are looking for a second opinion for advanced heart care, talk with one of our heart surgeons. Minimally invasive or open-heart surgery may be recommended as part of your care plan. Find a cardiothoracic surgeon.