Beating heart coronary bypass surgery: why is it so advantageous?

Top Doctors recently caught up with the exceptionally skilled and trusted Mr Alberto Albanese, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, to find out what exactly beating heart coronary bypass surgery is, and what the main advantages of the heart operation are.

What is beating heart coronary bypass surgery?

Beating heart coronary bypass surgery is performed on patients who are suffering from severe coronary artery disease involving many blood vessels. It is performed with the assistance of a cardiac pulmonary bypass.

This machine, which is also called the heart lung machine (HLM) allows the heart to be stopped so that the surgeon can operate on a surface which is still and blood free. The heart lung machine maintains life despite the lack of a heartbeat. It removes all of the toxins and replaces them with oxygenated blood before pumping the blood back to the body.

How does it differ from traditional coronary bypass surgery?

The heart lung machine is not used in traditional coronary bypass surgery, whereas it is used in beating heart coronary bypass surgery.

What are the advantages of beating heart coronary bypass surgery?

The main advantage is that this operation decreases the mobility (of the beating heart) and the complications associated with traditional coronary artery bypass surgery. Complications such as stroke, kidney failure, lung failure, and also the need for a blood transfusion are all greatly reduced through beating heart coronary bypass surgery.

This surgery may also reduce the chances of various cognitive changes that are often seen in patients who have undergone traditional coronary bypass surgery.

Are there any risks or side effects? If so, what are they?

It is, in theory, more demanding and more difficult for the surgeon, due to the fact that the heart is still beating throughout.

What is recovery time like?

This technique offers a quicker recovery when compared to traditional coronary bypass surgery.

Mr Alberto Albanese is a revered and highly experienced consultant cardiothoracic surgeon who is nothing short of an expert when it comes to performing beating heart coronary bypass surgery. Contact him today via his Top Doctors profile to schedule an appointment with him.