Open Heart Surgery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

Open heart bypass surgery is used to treat coronary artery disease or heart disease. CAD causes blockage in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery makes a new route for blood to flow around a blocked area of the coronary artery.

During open heart surgery, your cardiac surgeon will make a large incision in your breastbone to get to your heart. There two types of open heart bypass surgery include:

  • On-pump surgery is the most common method. Your surgeon will use a heart-lung machine to divert blood from the heart so he or she can operate on a still (non-beating) heart clear of blood.
  • Off-pump surgery does not involve a heart-lung machine. The heart is beating, which makes the surgery more difficult, but it is known to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients.

Find a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon or call (702) 616-4900 about your options for open heart surgery in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV.

 

Reasons for Open Heart Bypass Surgery

Open heart bypass surgery is performed to restore normal blood flow to the heart muscle. This reduces the risk of a heart attack and may be used if angioplasty and stenting isn’t the right choice for you, depending on these factors:

  • Severity of your symptoms
  • Severity of your blockages
  • Location of blockages in your coronary arteries
  • Number of blockages
  • Success of previous angioplasty and stenting procedures

Heart bypass surgery is also an emergency treatment for a heart attack.

 

How to Prepare for Open Heart Surgery

Before your surgery at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals, you will receive specific instructions from your care team. You may also need to:

  • Check with your insurance company about your coverage
  • Make arrangements for help during your recovery
  • Not eat for about eight hours before your surgery
  • Stop aspirin or other blood thinners as directed

 

Open Heart Surgery Recovery in Las Vegas, NV

Your recovery from open heart bypass surgery can take up to six hours and may require you to stay several days in the hospital. Most people return to work within six weeks, but you can ask your doctor about returning to normal activities. Cardiac rehabilitation will help you regain strength. We also offer a variety of heart and vascular support groups. Full recovery can take 12 weeks.

Open heart bypass surgery can’t prevent future problems with your coronary arteries. You can reduce your risk by exercising, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and reducing stress.

Take our heart health assessment to learn ways to improve your heart health.

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals offers complete care for patients undergoing open heart surgery in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.