procedures
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Coronary Artery Bypass
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A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease.
It diverts blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries (blood vessels), to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.
Every year, 28,000 CABGs are performed in the UK. Nearly 80% of those who need to have the operation are men over 60 years old.
Read more about how a coronary artery bypass graft is performed.
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Aortic Valve Replacement
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Aortic valve replacement is a type of open-heart surgery. It is used to treat problems with the aortic valve in the heart.
During surgery, a cut is made in the chest to access the heart. The heart is then stopped and a heart-lung bypass machine is used to take over the circulation during the operation.
The aortic valve is removed and replaced with an artificial valve (prosthesis). The heart is then started again and the incision in the chest is closed.
Read more about what happens during aortic valve replacement surgery.
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Mitral Valve Replacement
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The Mitral valve can be surgically replaced with either a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve, which is made from animal tissue.
This is major open heart surgery this is performed under general anaesthetic, and you'll be put on a heart-lung bypass machine.
You will usually need to take medication to prevent blood clots for a long period after this operation.
This operation is generally very successful, with a small chance of major complications.
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Mitral Valve Repair
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Mitral valve repair is used to treat stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of the mitral valve. The mitral valve is the "inflow valve" for the left side of the heart. Blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, through the pulmonary veins, to the left atrium of the heart. After the left atrium fills with blood, the mitral valve allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the heart's main pumping chamber called the left ventricle. It then closes to keep blood from leaking back into the left atrium or lungs when the ventricle contracts (squeezes) to push blood out to the body. It has two flaps, or leaflets.