Prior to the operation, patients and caregivers often wonder, "What actually happens during heart valve surgery?" During the admission process, which typically occurs the night before or the morning of the procedure, patients may undergo several different pre-operative tests. In addition, the patient will also be 'prepped' for surgery. The information provided below should offer unique insight into the patient experience prior to the surgery:
Once the patient is rolled into the operating room, a series of events will occur to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. If you would like to learn more about those steps, please consider the information below:
- Will my surgeon use the heart lung machine?
- Is my heart stopped during surgery?
- Will the surgeon 'Ice' my heart during surgery?
- What happens to my pericardium during surgery?
- How long does heart valve surgery take?
- How is my heart restarted?
- How do sternum wires work?
- What other technologies can keep my chest and ribs together?
Following surgery, the patient continues to experience several unique steps and routine examinations to ensure safety and proper cardiac function. To learn more about what happens after heart valve surgery, please consider the information below:
- How long will I be in the intensive care unit?
- What is the ventilator tube?
- How long will I be in the intensive care unit?
- When I wake up, how many tubes will be sticking out of me?
- What is an incentive spirometer?
- What are those big red pillows used for?
- Do some patients experience atrial fibrillation after surgery?
- Are pleural effusions common after surgery?
