Surgery

Ok, I know it has been over a week since I did my shadowing and you are just dying to know how it went. :o) The surgery was an open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve with a pig valve – similar details according to wikipedia.org are below.


Aortic valve replacement is most frequently done through a median sternotomy, meaning the incision is made by cutting through the sternum. Once the pericardium has been opened, the patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass machine, also referred to as the heart-lung machine. This machine takes over the task of breathing for the patient and pumping their blood around while the surgeon replaces the heart valve.

Once the patient is on bypass, an incision is made in the aorta and a crossclamp applied. The surgeon then removes the patient's diseased aortic valve and a mechanical or tissue valve is put in its place. Once the valve is in place and the aorta has been closed, the patient is taken off the heart-lung machine. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE, an ultra-sound of the heart done through the esophagus) can be used to verify that the new valve is functioning properly. Pacing wires are usually put in place, so that the heart can be manually paced should any complications arise after surgery. Drainage tubes are also inserted to drain fluids from the chest and pericardium following surgery. These are usually removed within 36 hours while the pacing wires are generally left in place until right before the patient is discharged from the hospital.

I was standing in the room at the patients head looking down at the heart. I have to say that it was pretty amazing to see a human heart beating right there in front of me. The surgeons were also amazing and made everything seem so easy. I’m still in awe.