Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) emergency departments are here for serious and urgent health concerns. For other care needs, there may be options that can connect you with the care you need sooner.
Your health always comes first. Find the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Cardiac surgery treats patients who need operations on their heart. Learn what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Heart surgery can treat different problems, such as blocked arteries, damaged heart valves, or irregular heartbeats. It may be done in different ways depending on your condition and health. It is most often done with an incision down the middle of the chest. In some cases, a smaller incision can be used along the side of your chest.
Cardiac bypass surgery is the most common type of open-heart surgery. Cardiac bypass surgery is for people that have blocked blood flow to the heart. This surgery uses blood vessels from other parts of your body to go around the blocked areas. The goal is to restore blood flow to the heart. This improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
Cardiac bypass surgery may also be called:
You can learn more about cardiac surgery in our patient booklet.
The heart has four valves that open and close tightly. They make sure blood flows through the heart properly.
Sometimes, surgeons can fix your heart valve instead of replacing it. At times, more than one valve may need to be repaired.
Sometimes you may need one or more heart valves replaced, if yours cannot be fixed.
Your surgeon will replace your valve with either:
They will talk with you and your loved ones about your options before surgery.
Some people with heart valve condition also have an irregular heartbeat. In these cases, the surgeon can do a procedure, like the MAZE procedure, at the same time as the valve surgery. It helps the heart beat more regularly.
Arteries are the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your cells. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the heart and runs through the chest and abdomen.
Sometimes, parts of the aorta may become weak, bulging, infected, blocked by plaque, or torn. The damaged section is replaced with a special tube called a graft during surgery. It helps blood flow normally again.
An aortic arch replacement fixes the curved part of the aorta.
An aortic root replacement repairs the part of the aorta that connects to the heart. During surgery, the damaged section is replaced with a tube. Your aortic valve may also be replaced where the tube has a new valve built in. The new valve can be mechanical (made of metal) or biological (made from cow tissue).
This surgery repairs the lower part of the aortic arch or the section of the aorta that goes through the chest. It is sometimes called a frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure.
A valve-sparing aortic root replacement fixes the part of the aorta that connects to the heart. It is used when this area is weak, bulging, or torn. It can also help people with bicuspid aortic valve disease or Marfan syndrome. This surgery lets you keep your own heart valve, so you do not have to take blood thinners.
You may wait for surgery while staying in hospital or at home. Our heart surgery booklet shares detailed information about:
Your blood plays an important role in your health. We take steps to protect it before, during, and after your operation.
These steps help you heal safely. They may also lower your chance of needing a blood transfusion. Ask your care team if you have any questions.
Our goal is for you to be able to return home to your loved ones and get back to doing the things that you love. By working with your healthcare team and taking an active role in your surgery and recovery, you can heal faster, safer, and easier.
Here are some other tools that can help you as you recover: