Many people ask what exactly is “open heart surgery”? This question, is not uncommon and usually requires elaboration for the understanding of patients. The misunderstanding with the use of the expression is understandable, since the term “open heart surgery” was forged over two decades ago and vaguely describes the numerous types of cardiac surgery there are today.
The term, when it was coined, was most likely meant for the operation in which cardiac chambers would be opened for repair. However, in most of today’s cardiac surgeries, the term is usually a reference to the use of an external mechanical support system, the “heart-lung machine”, that would take over the function of the heart and lungs for the duration of the surgery. These machines
The term, when it was coined, was most likely meant for the operation in which cardiac chambers would be opened for repair. However, in most of today’s cardiac surgeries, the term is usually a reference to the use of an external mechanical support system, the “heart-lung machine”, that would take over the function of the heart and lungs for the duration of the surgery. These machines