Your Trusted Cardiologist In NYC

Cardiovascular Specialists : The Best In NYC

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site. Call us at (212) 367-8000.

Here He explains Open Heart Surgery 101

An LVAD Implant involves 6 to 8 hours of open heart surgery. You will be under full sedation for the length of the operation. A ventilator will help you breath during the procedure. After the initial incision is made, your chest will be opened to expose your heart. Since your heart is stopped during surgery, you’ll be put on a heart-lung bypass machine to keep your blood circulating properly.

Recovery

You will be admitted to the ICU for several days post-op. A ventilator, IV, catheter, and chest tubes will keep you stable. Afterwards, you’ll be moved to a standard hospital room.You will start a physical therapy and daily activity regiment. Beginning with minimal tasks; sitting up, standing, walking a short distance. The activity level will build as you gain strength back.

A Left Ventricular Assist Device, or LVAD, is one of the most intriguing advances in the cardiovascular procedures currently available to heart patients. Often referred to as a “bridge to transplant”; this life-saving device helps extend the quality of a person’s life while they wait for a cardiac transplant. But how much do you know about the surgery itself? This article will help explain the basics of the procedure.

Two different LVAD models are used in these cardiovascular procedures:

1. LVAD Pump-works like your heart; circulating blood via a pumping action.
2. Continuous Stream LVAD-controls a continuous stream of blood in the heart.

Once your LVAD implantation is completed and tested, doctors will take you off bypass, and the next stage begins.Treatment

Cardiovascular procedures like the LVAD Implant have to be monitored daily while you are hospitalized. These are the methods doctors use:• Blood thinners and antibiotics to prevent complications/infections.

• Blood tests for LVAD/kidney function.
• Pulse checks; device(s) can cause abnormal pulse.