Fortis Centre for Cardiac Care at Fortis Hospital Bangalore

Heart, the lifeline of the human body is all about your overall wellbeing. In these days of uncertainties, we are often coming across many young lives being succumbed to heart ailments leaving families, friends and loved ones devastated forever. 

Blame it on unhealthy lifestyle, stress, anxiety, poor dietary habits, sudden onset of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes are triggering cardiovascular diseases, heart problems even among the youngsters are worrying doctors across the world.

It is immensely sad to note that cardiovascular diseases amount to the most number of deaths across the globe and are often caused due to stroke and coronary artery diseases. Heart ailments need immediate and instant medical intervention and that’s why you need the care of our Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CVTS) at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru. 

The department is the hub of extensively and internationally acclaimed Cardiac Surgeons, Cardiac Intensivists, Cardiac Anesthetists besides well-experienced paramedical staff including nurses, dieticians and more.

The Department of CVTS works hand-in-hand with other primary specialties including cardiology, pulmonary medicine, nephrology etc., for ensuring faster and full recovery of the patients. 
The department is equipped with fully functional, dedicated cardiothoracic units with 1 nurse attending each patient 24X7, and equipped with following facilities. 

• Color Doppler system
• Echocardiography (ECG) system
• Continuous oxygen supply
• Infusion pumps
• Defibrillator
• Ventilators
• Pressure monitoring systems
• Temporary pacemaker both transdermal and transvenous
• Intra-aortic balloon pump
• ABG (Blood Gas machine)
• Electrolytes analysis machines
   

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is done for the patients suffering from Coronary Artery Disease where coronary arteries get closed or clogged by fat, cholesterol and calcium deposits obstructing the oxygen-rich blood to the heart, triggering severe chest pain, difficulty in breathing, eventually a heart attack. Under this procedure the surgeon takes a healthy artery and grafts it bypassing the blocked artery and restores the blood supply. 
It is performed in either of two methods:
On Pump CABG 
Off Pump CABG. 

On Pump CABG: 
A traditional procedure, the heart that is accessed through chest bone, gets stopped but is attached to heart-lung bypass machine for supplying blood and oxygen through the surgery. The surgeon, in the due course completes the procedure, restores blood flow after which the heart functions again on its own. 

Off Pump CABG:
Also known as Beating Heart Bypass Surgery, it is done without stopping the heart and the risk is lower. However, it is recommended only after assessing the number and location of blockages, health condition of the patient etc. 

Aortic Valve Replacement/ Repair:
Aortic Valve Replacement or Repair is an invasive procedure performed for treating poor functioning of the valve, as it can disturb the flow of blood, forcing the heart to work harder, causing complications like fatigue, chest pain, sudden blackouts, difficulty breathing. 
Aortic Valve Replacement becomes a surgical option, in case of 

Aortic Valve Regurgitation: A condition in which blood flows backwards through Aortic valve into the left ventricle, at every relaxation. It could be congenital or due to a leaky valve. 
Aortic Valve Stenosis: When Aortic Valve gets thin down often due to congenital abnormality, thickening of valve’s closure flaps due to inflammation or rheumatoid heart disease, a Aortic Valve Replacement helps a great deal in restoring normal heart. 

Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement:
An invasive procedure, Aortic Valve Repair is done for better functioning of Aortic Valve that is not open due to stenosis. It is done through open heart surgery but in certain cases a minimally invasive procedure known as Balloon Valvuloplasty is done through Cardiac Catherization. 
Certain patients would require a valve replacement, where it is replaced with a mechanical one or the one made from a biological tissue. 

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
A Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement is a minimally invasive procedure, where a blood vessel is accessed through leg or by a small incision in the chest. A thin catheter is then slipped through the veins towards Aortic Valve and self-expandable valve gets replaced. 

Maze Procedure:
Atrial fibrillations require surgical intervention and MAZE or Cox Maze procedure is done through making patterned incisions that would resemble a tangle in the atria. A minimally invasive procedure it is done with great precisions where incisions interfere and regulate sudden electrical impulses triggering fibrillations. It significantly improves the quality of life and lessens the quivers.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair:
Known as TEVAR, it is a minimally invasive procedure which repair major blood vessel aorta. The surgeon inserts stent graft by making a small incision in the groin. The metal mesh keeps the aorta open by facilitating oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, if the patient is suffering from stenosis, aneurysm, transection and dissection. 

MICS:
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery is performed making several small incisions instead of open heart surgery, in case of patients suffering from blocked vessels especially on the left side of heart but without a history of CABG or Bypass. Incisions measuring up to 5 to 7 cm are made in the intercoastal space for stabilizing vessels and is also recommended in case of Mitral valve repair or replacement, atrial septal defects and aortic valve replacement. 

Mitral Valve Surgery:
Mitral Valve Surgery involves replacing the diseased mitral valve with two flaps located between the left atrium and left ventricle. When blood flows backwards through mitral valve, it is called as mitral valve regurgitation and, in few cases, it gets narrowed and also lead to stenosis. 

Mitral Valve Repair:
Mitral Valve Repair is done by patching holes, removing excess valve tissues and reconnecting for extra structural support. It is done through annuloplasty by placing a ring around the valve. Another common procedure is balloon valvuloplasty where a thin catheter with a balloon at the tip is sent into an artery via arm or groin for expanding the valve. 

Mitral Valve Replacement:
A Mitral Valve Replacement in done in certain cases where it is removed but would be replaced by a mechanical or biological tissue. 

LVAD:
Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD is an electromechanical circulatory support system with an implantable pump that is powered by battery for assisting lower chambers of the left ventricle. It supports dysfunctional left ventricle in pumping out the blood and supply it into aorta. They are designed either to support right ventricle (RVAD), left ventricle (LVAD) or both ventricles (BiVAD).
It is recommended for patients with a fragile and failing left ventricle after a heart attack, as a support system in post-cardiac procedures or in end-stage heart failure. Implanted surgically, LVADs offer partial or full support to the failing heart. It can be a short term or long-term arrangement till the donor for heart is found. 

Aortic Aneurysm Surgery:
Aortic Aneurysm Surgery in case of a bulge in the main blood vessel which can be either done through open abdominal, chest repair or endovascular procedure. The surgeon removes a part of aorta and replace it with fabric graft. In endovascular repair he would insert a stent graft for supporting weakened artery wall.