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Open Heart Surgery in California

Procedures performed at The Center fit in two different categories:Open Heart Surgery in California

I. Open Heart Operations          II. All Other Procedures

Open Heart Operations consist of:

1. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery - Techniques utilizing Internal Mammary arteries, Radial arteries (from arm), and Saphenous vein. This also includes second and third time operations (redo) which The Center is particularly expertise in.
2. Heart Valve Replacement - This includes Aortic Valve Replacement, Mitral Valve Replacement (repair or replacement) for stenosis (narrowing), or insufficiency (leak), Combined 2 or 3 Valve repair or replacement. Surgical treatment of infected valves. Septal Defects (holes between different chambers). Aneurysms of the Aorta (acute rupture or chronic dilatation). Myxomas and other tumors of the heart.
3.  Aortic Aneurysm

Other Non-Open Heart Procedures in 3 categories:
1. Thoracic:
Lung: Biopsies, lung resection for benign and malignant tumors, and blebs (large air pockets in the lung interfering with lung function, so called emphysematous blebs).
Chest: Removal of different types of tumors (benign or malignant in the chest cavity).
Diagnostic procedures such as mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy to get sample biopsies of different areas. Disease of the esophagus.

2. Vascular:
Aneurysm (dilatation or bulging) of different arteries, with the most common being abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Bypass operations for blocked arteries in the pelvis, thighs, arms. Endarterectomies (clearing out blockages from the arteries), most common being the carotid endarterectomy.

Open heart surgery is a very serious medical procedure that over half a million Americans face each and every year. Due to a combination of genetics and lifestyle habits including food and exercise, cardiovascular health can deteriorate rapidly as people age, eventually leading to the need for an open heart surgery. Open heart surgery encompasses a varying range of cardiothoracic procedures including coronary artery bypass surgery, mitral valve replacement, aortic valve replacement, pacemaker surgery and congenital defects. One of the biggest factors that contributes to the probability of needing open heart surgery is a person's diet. By eating a diet high in saturated fats and sugar, individuals create an increased risk for blocked arteries that require valve replacement, an artery bypass and open heart surgery. The other common reason people receive open heart surgery is to fix congenital birth defects, which cannot be avoided or treated by diet. For example, often premature babies require open heart surgery later in life to close a small hole in the heart or fix a defect they have had since birth.

Though the prospect of having open heart surgery can be an intimidating, there is a good probability that the results will turn out well in the hands of a qualified cardiothoracic surgeon. Cardiothoracic surgeons are among the best-qualified and highly trained surgeons, and have extensive experience performing open chest and open heart surgeries. The surgeons at the California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery are a group of top-notch doctors who are board certified in cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery.

Mitral Valve Replacement

The California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery is a leading Southern California destination for patients seeking mitral valve replacement. Mitral valve replacement involves repair of a damaged mitral valve. Mitral valves can require replacement due to a number of causes including a congenital defect, from aging, from a heart attack, or from a nearby infection that impedes the valve's function. The mitral valve plays an important role in the heart's function. The mitral valve is the gateway for moving oxygenated blood into the heart's left ventricle, and prevents the blood from leaking back into the heart as it exit's the left ventricle to flow through the rest of the body. If a damaged mitral valve is not replaced, consequences can be severe - the heart cannot continue functioning normally and blood can build up in the lungs, resulting in respiratory problems and heart failure.

Before mitral valve replacement surgery, our team of expert surgeons at the California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery thoroughly examine the patient and run tests to determine the best course of treatment for their individual case. There are a few different surgical options for patients who need to undergo mitral valve replacement surgery, including a supportive mitral valve ring, a replacement tissue valve or a replacement mechanical valve. Tissue replacement valves come from either a pig or a cow, and have the advantage of not requiring the patient to take anticoagulant medication following surgery. However, since the cow and pig mitral valves are real valves they wear out and need to be replaced after fifteen years. On the other hand, mechanical mitral valve replacements will last forever but require that the patient take anticoagulation medication to prevent blockages and buildup around the site of the replacement. Read more...

 

Aortic Aneurysm Repair

One of our specialties is aortic aneurysm repair.  The term aortic aneurysm refers to a swelling of the aorta.  Aneurysms are not confined to the aorta, but this is where they very often occur.  It is basically a local dilation of a chamber or artery and is typically caused by a weak wall in the heart, and often requires surgical repair to ensure recovery. Aneurysms tend to come in many different shapes, depending on what led to the occurrence.  The danger of an aortic aneurysm is that if it ruptures and leads to internal hemorrhaging, it can lead to an extremely quick death.  An aneurysm is a serious concern and should be dealt with instantly, before an aortic aneurysm repair becomes necessary.  
In many cases, a patient will not notice the swelling on their own, but as the aortic aneurysm grows in size, they may experience pain in their back or abdomen, as well as numbness or pain in the legs.  If aortic aneurysm repair does not occur, the rate of swelling may increase.  Sufferers may also experience other symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea, increased heart rates, or even a hoarse voice. Whether surgery is performed depends on the patient and the rate of swelling, as once a rupture occurs, chances of survival are rather low, even if operated on.  Although aortic aneurysm repair can help, the best defense, as in most cases, is prevention.  Taking care of your body, refraining from smoking, and watching cholesterol are all measures to be taken seriously.     

Even once diagnosed, surgery may not be the ideal solutions for aortic aneurysm repair, as physicians typically avoid it unless the risks it presents are less than the risks presented by surgery, which is not always the case.  Endovascular treatment has also grown in popularity as a tool for aortic aneurysm repair in patients who may not be healthy enough to handle surgery, and the use of this non-invasive procedure is predicted by many to become a widespread solution in the future as there is compelling evidence that it decreases patient mortality rates. At the California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery, our leading physicians will create a plan for recovery that outlines the best approach for your aortic aneurysm repair.