Do you know the heart we all need to live is divided in 4 chambers? The upper 2 chambers are atria and lower 2 are ventricles. The blood that is oxygen rich enters to the left atrium and flows towards left ventricle and then out of the body. This oxygen is used by the vital organs. On the other hand, the blood with less amount of oxygen in it flows from the right atrium to right ventricle and went out to the lungs.
What are the Risks of Going through Hole in Heart Surgery?
Generally, there is a wall between both atria and ventricles. But a child with atrial septal defect (ASD) has a hole in the wall between the left and right atria and similarly, a patient with ventricular septal defect (VSD) has a hole in the wall between the two ventricles. As a result of this condition, too much blood flow can happen.
In the course of repair of defect, many children have their treatment successfully implemented. But there are always some percentages of failure or unfortunate mishappenings. As the treatment involved in overcoming with the defect is big, so is the risks attached with it. The risks may vary with the age, depending on the size of the hole and other health issues. One of the major risks involved is excess bleeding. During the surgery, it might be possible that some cut will occur at a delicate part.
Thus, excessive bleeding can come off. Spreading infection can be a possibility as well. Since the surgery is directly related to blood, there are chances of clotting. This situation can even lead to loss of life or stroke. The other life taking risk possible is abnormal heart beats. The sudden exponential change in heart rhythm can be dangerous to even a fit person.
The risk of heart block is also very menacing. It can make the pace maker a necessity for living. Reason being, the heart is not doing its work properly so an alternative is required to make it work or to do what heart do. As we are aware that the groin plays a crucial role in the surgery and life, so should be kept protected. But the count of risk increases in the case of hematoma, a situation where blood collects in the groin. Also, the umbrella shaped device plugged into the hole through catheter can slip out and travel from end to end of the heart or vessels. There is a whole different procedure to handle this situation. This might be a real risky instance for both, the doctors and the patient. With any improper handling the heart valves can face problems. Even there is a possibility of stumbling block from anesthesia given to the patient.
Between the atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect, VSD is more difficult defect in the heart to repair. They are hard to reach by catheter alone. So, the alternative or better trick to reach VSD is taking help of a minimally invasive approach for the surgery in a hybrid room of operation.
There are few precautions also needed to avoid the risk. One of them is that the patient should not eat and drink 10-12 hours before the surgery. Also, any kind of medications should be stopped before the procedure starts. The health care provider associated with the patient will tell about what are the other necessary precautions. All in all, it is mandatory to have regular checkups and follow the instructions provided by doctor regarding the defect. Cardiac health should be the priority for a patient with a hole in heart. Healthy diet and medications for proper functioning of heart plays a major role. After the surgery, follow the medications, antibiotics and care said by the health provider. There are very rare chances that the surgery can go wrong. So don’t worry about the unfortunates and buckle yourself up for a healthy lifestyle.
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