Open Heart Surgery Cost in India | MediGence

What is Open Heart Surgery?

The heart is accessed through a breastbone incision during open-heart surgery. Surgeons cut through the sternum (breastbone) and spread the ribs to gain access to the heart. “Chest cracking” is another term for this. Smaller, less invasive incisions, like those between the ribs on the right side of the chest, can be used to perform many different types of heart surgery.

Open-heart surgery is a reliable way for surgeons to perform heart surgery for various heart conditions like heart attack, atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, and many others. Open-heart surgery is also called ‘Traditional Heart Surgery’. Today, many cutting-edge heart procedures can be carried out without any huge holes and with only minor cuts or incisions. Therefore, the term “open-heart surgery” is potentially deceptive. CABG (bypass surgery), heart transplantation, and valve replacement are all examples of open-heart surgery. Open-heart surgery can also be used to treat heart failure, congenital cardiac abnormalities, and coronary artery disease.

If you are suffering and the cardiac specialist suggests you undergo the surgery immediately- Do not delay it anymore! Open heart surgery can repair abnormalities (Septal defects, Heart Valve complications, Stroke, Failure, etc.). During the procedure, the surgeon may use appropriate material (implant, valve, etc.) to restore the normal functioning of the heart.

What Conditions Does Open Heart Surgery Treat?

There are several cardiac diagnoses that warrant the need for open-heart surgery. If you have one of the following heart conditions, open-heart surgery may be necessary:

• Congenital cardiac conditions like hypoplastic left heart syndrome and atrial septal defect (heart hole) (underdeveloped heart structures).
• Coronary artery disease.
• Heart failure.
• Heart valve disease.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Patients with coronary heart disease may need a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (double vessel or triple vessel disease). When the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen narrow and harden, coronary heart disease develops. Hardening occurs due to the formation of plaque on the inside walls of the coronary arteries. The narrowing of the arteries makes it difficult for blood to flow. This increases the risk of a heart attack.

Depending on the size, location, and number of blockages in the heart vessels, the surgeon may decide to do open-heart surgery or minimally invasive bypass, whichever seems feasible and safe for the patient as per the clinical status.

The following conditions may also necessitate open-heart surgery:

• The heart’s blood-flowing valves require maintenance or replacement.
• To restore any portions of the heart that have been injured or are aberrant.
• To implant medical gadgets that support the proper heartbeat’s operation
• Heart transplantation, often known as replacing a damaged heart with a donor’s heart,

Techniques used in Open Heart Surgeries

There are two techniques used to do open heart surgery: the traditional technique, also referred to as on-pump heart surgery, and the more recent technique, known as off-pump heart surgery. The opinion is still divided on which is the better way. Despite the availability of a range of innovative access alternatives, the midline sternotomy route is still used for the majority of open-heart procedures (down the middle through the breast bone). Major techniques used to perform open-heart surgeries are-

• On-pump surgery or CPB– It is a time-honored procedure that is carried out on a non-beating heart. Blood flow to the rest of the body must be kept going even if the heart stops. Therefore, surgeons use a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (also called a heart-lung bypass machine or a pump), which is an artificial circulation system that supports the heart and lungs. This machine takes over the function of the non-beating heart, which is to circulate blood to the rest of the body, while the surgeons are performing the surgery.

• Off-pump surgery or Beating-heart surgery– This approach involves operating on a beating heart. To keep the heart steady throughout the procedure, advanced & special technology is used. This procedure is carried out while the patient’s heart is beating and circulating blood to the rest of the body. Therefore, there is no need for a heart-lung machine. This type of operation is challenging since the heart is still beating and not all surgeons have the expertise in it.

Types and Cost of Open Heart Surgery in India

Several new minimally invasive and robot-assisted cardiac procedures have been introduced recently. The advancement in medical technology and infrastructure is now slowly replacing the traditional approach to doing cardiac surgeries. There are, in fact, many procedures that can be performed by both the approaches – open heart and minimally invasive.

Some of the most popular open-heart procedures are listed below

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

The most common type of heart surgery is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), in which the blocked coronary artery is replaced with a healthy artery or vein from another section of your body to allow blood to flow normally again. By avoiding the obstructed area of the coronary artery, the grafted artery or vein establishes a new route for blood to travel to the heart muscle. CABG is also known as heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Cost of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) in India 

With an artificial or biological valve made from pig, cow, or human heart tissue, surgeons can either repair or replace the cardiac valve. Even in these cases, a catheter is inserted into a significant blood vessel, guided to the heart, and a tiny balloon is inflated and deflated at the catheter’s tip to widen a tight valve.

Cost of Heart Valve Repair or Replacement in India

Insertion of a Pacemaker or an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

The disorder known as arrhythmia is characterized by abnormally fast, sluggish, or irregular heartbeats. Medicine is usually the initial therapeutic option. A surgeon may implant a pacemaker under the skin of the chest or abdomen, with wires connecting it to the heart chambers, if medicine fails. When a sensor identifies an aberrant heart rhythm, the device utilizes electrical pulses to control it. When an ICD detects a worrisome arrhythmia, it delivers an electric shock to restore the normal rhythm.

Cost of Insertion of a Pacemaker or an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) in India

Maze Surgery

To reroute electrical signals along a regulated channel to the lower heart chambers, the surgeon produces a pattern of scar tissue within the upper chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation, the most frequent type of severe arrhythmia, is caused by stray electrical signals that are blocked by surgery.

Aneurysm Repair

A patch or graft is utilized to replace a frail section of the artery or heart wall in order to correct a balloon-like protrusion. The most frequent and accepted treatment for aortic aneurysms is open-chest surgery. There must be a significant chest incision. This operation necessitates general anesthesia. The aneurysm is removed, and the aorta portion is replaced with an artificial graft consisting of Dacron or Teflon.

Heart Transplant

A sick or failing heart is swapped out with a healthier donor heart during a heart transplant. A heart transplant is normally reserved for patients whose condition has not improved enough with medications or other surgeries. Even though a heart transplant is a significant and difficult procedure, your chances of survival are good with the right aftercare.

Cost of Heart Transplant in India

Insertion of a ventricular assist device (VAD) or total artificial heart (TAH) or LVAD

A VAD is a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow. A TAH replaces the two lower chambers of the heart. Your chest is implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). It helps pump blood from the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) to the rest of your body. A small aperture (port) in your skin connects a control unit and battery pack, which are carried externally, to the LVAD.

Cost of LVAD in India

Tests Performed

Your doctor might recommend various testing prior to a heart bypass or other type of heart surgery. To make the surgery safer, experiments are being carried out. Some of the common tests required before surgery are-

• Echocardiogram or Echo: Your cardiac muscle strength and the function of your heart valves are checked using an echocardiogram.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The electrical signal from the heart is recorded with an ECG or EKG to screen for various cardiac diseases. Your heart rhythm and rate are monitored.

• Lab testing: Checks your kidney function, liver function, blood count, urine, thyroid function, and blood type in case a transfusion is needed during your surgery.

• Chest X-Ray: A chest x-ray produces images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels, and the bones of the spine and chest.

• Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE): Dobutamine is put in a vein and causes the heart to beat faster. It mimics the effects of exercise on the heart.

• Treadmill Test or TMT: Also known as a cardiac stress test, this procedure identifies the maximum heart rate at which an abnormal rhythm or a decrease in blood supply to the heart muscle is not likely to occur.

• Complete blood count (CBC): is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and leukemia.

• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI: It is a technique that generates precise pictures of the internal structures of the heart using radio waves, a strong magnetic field, and a computer. This examination provides a thorough view of your heart.

Angiography- It is an X-ray technique used to examine blood arteries. This highlights your blood vessels so your doctor can see if there are any problems. Angiograms are the X-ray images produced during angiography.

Why to Choose India for Open Heart Surgery?

India sees a lot of cardiac patients every day, with a high success and recovery rate. Cardiac Care in India is exceptional in that it accepts patients from other countries. In terms of health infrastructure, India competes with developed countries in a similar way. Medical facilities in India are well-equipped with the most up-to-date medical technologies, as well as unrivaled expertise from leading cardiologists and heart surgeons. Indian cardiac surgeons are noted for providing a wide range of cardiac treatments, ranging from basic services to Open Heart Surgery at a reasonable price.

Services offered to International Patients in India 

• Simple booking process with easy access to the best medical care in India.
• Obtaining a medical visa is a simple process.
• Quick and effective service—immediate care without waiting lists
• Full patient support service- 24/7 services.
• Specialist consultations- scans, clinical investigations & consultations at short notice.
• Medical executives with fluent English
• Provide professional treatment and surgery of the finest quality possible.
• Ensure the right guesthouse for the travelers
• Handhold the patients through the treatment process at the hospital (in person and/or by phone- as and when required)
• Provide interpretation services if the patient or attendant is unable to communicate in English
• Response time is quick and is always available
• Multiple treatment options available
• Visible compassion for the traveler
• Holistic Hand Holding

Best Hospitals for Open Heart Surgery in India

Consult Online with the Open Heart Surgeons Over a Video Call in India

It’s common to feel frightened or overwhelmed if you’ve been told you require heart surgery. However, actively participating in your care and treatment can help ease your concerns and give you some control. Selecting a heart surgeon or cardiac surgeon to undertake the procedure is one approach to do it. To get started, consider some of the following steps-

• Question your doctor
• Call up your contacts
• Do thorough research
• Consider the quality of the hospital’s services and amenities.
• Schedule a face-to-face (if possible) or online consultation with the doctor to see whether you connect or not
• Learn as much about your condition & severity to narrow your focus as you search
• Choose the specialist opinion & treatment to avoid any future complications and expected outcomes

We have a list of Cardiac experts from all around the world, who are exceptionally performing well in their field

Book the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Package in India

Book the Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Package in India

Post-Surgery Care, Recovery & the Conclusion

Open heart surgery is a major operation that requires close monitoring and immediate post-operative support. The first few days will be spent in an intensive care unit. Once your heart rhythm and blood pressure have stabilized and you no longer require intravenous medications, you will be transferred to a regular room. After surgery, you’ll most likely spend four to six days in the hospital. Some complex procedures such as pediatric cardiac surgery for cardiac defects, Bentall surgery, Norwood procedure, etc. may require a stay of up to 15 days at the hospital.

Once it’s assessed safe, your attending specialist/team will remove the chest drainage tubes and temporary pacing wires in the days following surgery. You’ll work with cardiac rehab and potentially physical and occupational therapists to improve your strength and mobility during your stay.

You Should be Allowed to Return Home Once You’ve Completed the Following Activities:

• Have stable blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm
• Can safely walk
• Have adequate pain management
• Oxygen mask is no longer required
• There are no signs of infection around the surgical site

Following surgery, your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to check your recovery and may also recommend some routine tests to keep a check on the cardiac status and condition. These tests may include blood work-up, Echo, ECG, and other tests.

We propose that you undergo cardiac rehabilitation as part of your treatment to regain your strength. This medically supervised program provides additional assistance, knowledge, and coaching to help you get back on track.

The recovery from open-heart surgery is always slow but steady. It could take up to six weeks before one begins to feel better, and it could take up to six months for the surgery to fully benefit one. The following activities can help to maintain one’s heart healthy:

• Having a well-balanced diet
• High-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar foods should be avoided.
• Changing one’s lifestyle to one that is more active
• Smoking cessation
• Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol

If you are seeking the right treatment, and you wish to consult a cardiac specialist sitting abroad before you decide to travel, you can use our Telemedicine service, which is a premium & specialized service for availing online consultations with the cross-border experts in different countries, regardless of where you are. It is always an ideal choice to consult a doctor, especially in critical conditions; prior to your travelling. You can directly book a consultation to discuss your dilemmas on Open-heart surgery or you can also speak to our patient advocates at (+1) 424 283 4838 OR  you can mail us at [email protected]

Not only a consultation, you can also utilize our ‘Treatment overseas’ service or Prebundled packages. To know more about it, read on to our sections-

• Telemedicine

• Treatment Overseas

• CABG Packages

Reference Link:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/open-heart-surgery
• https://www.ssmhealth.com/heart-vascular-health/treatments-procedures/open-heart-surgery