About Cardiothoracic Surgery
Key Highlights
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Addresses life-threatening heart and chest conditions to improve survival rates.Can significantly relieve debilitating symptoms like chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath.Restores proper blood flow and heart function, enhancing overall quality of life.Includes both traditional open procedures and modern minimally invasive techniques for suitable candidates.Performed by highly specialized and extensively trained cardiac surgeons.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe coronary artery disease, especially when multiple arteries are blocked.
- Malfunctioning heart valves (stenosis or regurgitation) causing symptoms or heart strain.
- Large or symptomatic aortic aneurysms or dissections.
- Advanced heart failure that may require procedures like ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation or heart transplant.
- Certain congenital heart defects present from birth.
- Arrhythmias (like atrial fibrillation) that require surgical ablation.
- Tumors or other diseases affecting the heart or structures within the chest.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative testing including blood work, ECG, echocardiogram, and often a coronary angiogram.
- Detailed consultation with the cardiac surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and anesthesia.
- Adjustment or temporary cessation of certain medications (e.g., blood thinners) as directed.
- Lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and dietary changes in the weeks prior.
- Fasting (no food or drink) for 8-12 hours before the scheduled surgery.
- Pre-operative shower with antiseptic soap to reduce infection risk.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding during or after surgery, which may require transfusion or re-operation.
- Risk of infection at the incision site or within the chest (mediastinitis).
- Blood clots leading to stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that may require temporary or permanent pacemaker.
- Reactions to anesthesia or the heart-lung bypass machine.
- Kidney dysfunction, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions.
- Stroke or neurological complications.
- In rare cases, failure of the procedure or death.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 1-2 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring of heart function and vital signs.
- Progressive mobilization, starting with sitting in a chair and walking short distances with assistance.
- Pain management with medications to keep discomfort controlled, especially with deep breathing and coughing.
- Incision care instructions to keep the surgical site clean and dry, watching for signs of infection.
- Participation in a structured cardiac rehabilitation program for guided exercise, education, and support.
- Gradual return to normal activities over several weeks, with strict avoidance of heavy lifting and driving as advised.
- Lifelong follow-up with the cardiologist and surgeon, along with adherence to prescribed medications (like blood thinners or statins).
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Typical hospital stay: 7-14 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cardiothoracic surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cardiothoracic surgery in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cardiothoracic surgery. MediFyr helps you compare cardiac surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cardiothoracic surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cardiothoracic Surgery in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiac surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.
Vihaan Brown, a 58-year-old high school...
Vihaan Brown, a 58-year-old high school history teacher and father of three, had always been active, coaching soccer on weekends. Over six months, he noticed a crushing fatigue that made climbing stairs feel like a marathon. Sharp chest pains, which he initially dismissed as heartburn, began striking during simple tasks like grading papers. His wife insisted on an ER visit after he turned pale during a family dinner. Tests revealed severe triple-vessel coronary artery disease; his main arteries were dangerously blocked. His cardiologist, Dr. Evans, explained that medication alone was insufficient. He needed coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to restore blood flow and prevent a major heart attack. Vihaan was terrified, fearing he wouldn't see his kids graduate. The surgery, while daunting, went smoothly. In the ICU, the immediate relief from the vise-like chest pain was profound. Recovery was a slow, humbling process of measured walks and cardiac rehab. Six months later, he's back coaching, with more energy than he's had in years. The emotional journey was from a state of fear and vulnerability, feeling his body betray him, to one of immense gratitude and a renewed commitment to cherish every moment with his family.
Cardiac surgeons for Cardiothoracic Surgery
Explore experienced cardiac surgeons who regularly perform cardiothoracic surgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
- 31 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 23 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Cardiac surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore