What surgical procedures can be done to treat the heart?
Only a minority of heart patients require surgery, but it can be life changing when needed. In this video, Dr Ravi Assomull, a Private Cardiologist in London, explains common cardiac surgical treatments and when they are recommended.
Have a question about your own heart health? Book a consultation with Dr Assomull – no GP referral needed, appointments typically within one working day.
Transcript
The first thing to say, importantly, is that really only a minority of the people we see in cardiac clinics, including in my own practice, actually require any form of cardiothoracic surgery. I work with great cardiac surgeons who I can count on to provide cutting-edge treatment, typically using a minimally invasive technique. The people who may need surgery are those people who have blocked coronary arteries that are too difficult to treat with tablets and coronary stenting.
And bypass surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, is a well-proven technique that improves symptoms and improves prognosis. As well as coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, people with leaky valves or valves that don't open properly, such as an aortic stenosis, may benefit from having their valve replaced or repaired. And again, this is a surgical procedure done by expert colleagues.
