About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Heart Failure Surgery: When and How It Helps
Introduction
Heart failure (HF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively. While medications and lifestyle changes help many patients, some require surgical interventions. Let’s review the major heart failure surgeries, when they are needed, and how they improve heart function.
Surgical Options for Heart Failure
1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Used when heart failure is due to coronary artery disease.
- Restores blood flow by bypassing blocked arteries.
- Improves heart function and reduces symptoms.
2. Heart Valve Surgery
- Indicated when heart failure results from valvular disease (e.g., aortic or mitral valve disease).
- Can involve valve repair or replacement (mechanical or biological).
- Improves blood flow and reduces heart workload.
3. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
- Used for patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Detects and corrects abnormal heart rhythms.
- Reduces sudden cardiac death risk.
4. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) / Biventricular Pacemaker
- Helps patients with HF and electrical conduction issues.
- Ensures synchronized heart contractions to improve function and symptom relief.
5. Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
- Used for severe heart failure patients either as a bridge to heart transplant or as long-term therapy.
- Mechanically supports heart function and circulation.
- Requires lifelong monitoring and care.
6. Heart Transplantation
- Considered for end-stage heart failure when all other therapies fail.
- Requires donor matching and lifelong immunosuppressive therapy.
- Offers significant quality-of-life improvement for carefully selected patients.
When Surgery is Recommended?
Surgical intervention is considered when: - Medications and lifestyle changes fail to control heart failure. - There is severe structural heart disease worsening symptoms. - The patient has recurrent hospitalizations despite optimal therapy.
Conclusion
Surgical treatment of heart failure is a complex but often life-saving decision. Patients should be thoroughly evaluated by cardiologists and heart surgeons to determine the best approach. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and an improved quality of life.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx
- https://www.acc.org/education-and-meetings/products-and-resources/features/global-cv-institute/heart-failure-guidelines
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22611136/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.