Any operation that is performed on the heart. Open heart surgery allows the treatment of most types of heart defect present at birth (see heart disease, congenital) and various disorders of the heart valves. Coronary artery bypass is performed to treat obstruction of the coronary arteries. Narrowing of the coronary arteries can be treated by balloon angioplasty. Angioplasty balloons have also been used to open up narrowed heart valves in cases where the patient is unsuitable for open heart surgery (see valvuloplasty). Heart transplant surgery can offer hope to people with progressive, incurable heart disease.
Heart surgery |
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