Your heart is the chief primary pump of your body, its main function being to pump and circulate oxygenated blood all through your body and deoxygenated blood back to the lungs for removal. The heart is a pump, with heart valves that allow blood to flow in a single direction throughout the heart. There are four valves that determine the flow of blood through the heart. A heart valve can either open or close based on the changes in blood pressure. The heart drains into the aorta (supplying oxygenated blood to the whole body) from the left side and the pulmonary artery to the right side (supplying deoxygenated blood to the lungs to get re-oxygenated).
The four main valves in the heart are as follows.
- There are two atrioventricular (AV) valves, the mitral valve (or the bicuspid valve), and the tricuspid valve, which are located between the upper chambers (atria) and the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart.
- There are two semilunar (SL) valves, the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, which separate the heart and the arteries leaving the heart. The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta (the main blood vessel of the heart supplying oxygen and nutrients to the whole of the body).
If there is a defect in the aorta, this could be a possible indication for ascending aorta repair. The most common aortic defect is an aneurysm of the aorta (bulging of this blood vessel’s walls). The causes could be either congenital (inherently weak arterial walls) or acquired (increased blood pressure or atherosclerosis). The defect in the aorta could be either an ascending aortic aneurysm (that part of the aorta closest to the heart) or it could be an aneurysm of the arch of aorta (the bend of the aorta), or it could be an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta (that part of the aorta going into the chest/ abdomen).
These aneurysms must be treated because they can be potentially life- threatening, if they rupture and cause massive internal bleeding.
What are the methods of ascending aorta repair surgery ?
Your cardiologist may tell you to “watch-and- wait” if the aneurysm is small or asymptomatic. But, in case the aneurysm is large, or growing at a rate greater than 1 centimeter per year, surgery is the best recommended option.
When detected on time, ascending aorta can be repaired surgically. The Ascending Aorta Repair is an open surgery. What this means is that the surgeon will open your chest and heart in order to repair the damaged artery. The type of operation done and incision needed, will depend on exactly where the aneurysm is located. If the aortic aneurysm is close to the aortic valve, the surgeon will incise the front of the chest (called a median sternotomy). And if the aneurysm is too close to the aortic valve, even the valve may have to be either repaired or replaced. In some cases, the aneurysm can be repaired, without opening the chest as in minimally invasive robotic surgery. The surgical procedure is performed under the influence of general anesthesia mostly and requires a dedicated change in lifestyle and rehabilitative exercises to help recover full heart function. Your cardiologist will choose the best procedure to treat you based on the condition of the aorta.
How to find cardiac surgeons for ascending aorta repair surgery ?
Now you can find cardiac surgeons for ascending aorta repair surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple cardiac surgeons, get cost estimates for ascending aorta repair surgery from different heart hospitals, compare things and then choose a cardiac surgeon for ascending aorta repair surgery.
Find, reach and choose a cardiac surgeon for ascending aorta repair surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
