Операция на сердце "лабиринт" – Cox Maze

Activity description “labyrinth”

Labyrinth – heart surgery. Maze-like structure of the cut is made in the upper chambers of the heart – predserdiyah.

Reasons for the operation “labyrinth”

Labyrinth It is to treat Atrial Fibrillation. Fibrillation – abnormal beating of the heart muscle. This is due to the instability of nerve impulses, which pass through the heart muscle. These pulses can cause too rapid reduction of cameras, which may reduce the blood flow to the heart.

Atrial fibrillation can also cause formation of blood clots in the heart, which can enter the brain and cause strokes.

Maze is used to treat severe cases, which can not be treated with medication or other treatments. Electrical impulses can not pass through the scar tissue. When creating models of scar tissue surgery “labyrinth” It creates a path for normal impulses and blocks erratic.

Possible complications of surgery “labyrinth”

Complications are rare, but no procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. Before, how to perform the operation, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Problems, associated with anesthesia;
• The need for a permanent pacemaker;
• Kidney or other organ failure;
• Stroke;
• Death.

Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Existing heart disease, light, kidney;
• Obesity;
• Diabetes;
• Previous breast surgery;
• The use of some drugs.

How is the operation “labyrinth”?

Preparation for the procedure

Your doctor may order the following:

• Physical examination, including blood and urine tests;
• Chest X-ray – photographing structures inside the thorax with a small amount of radiation;
• Electrocardiogram – test, which detects heart activity by measurement of electrical current through the heart muscle.

A few days before the procedure:

• You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines a week before the procedure,:
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin);
  • Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel, warfarin, or ticlopidine;
• It is necessary to organize the return home from the hospital. Besides, need to organize assistance at home after surgery;
• In the evening before surgery you can eat a light meal. You can not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the procedure;
• We need to stop smoking.

Anesthesia

Used general anesthesia. During the operation, the patient is asleep. Also, before the operation can be given a sedative, to help relax.

Description of the procedure “labyrinth”

After the start of the anesthesia doctor cut through the skin and chest. Chest cavity is opened. Next, the heart will be connected to a heart-lung machine. He will take over the functions of the heart and lungs during the operation. Once the device is activated, the heart is stopped.

The atria done several small incisions. The cuts will be made in the form of a labyrinth, to send electrical pulses to a. Then the incisions are closed seams. In some cases, perhaps, additionally should be placed a pacemaker.

After this, the heart will be restarted. When the heart to restore normal activity, the patient is disconnected from the heart-lung machine. The chest is closed, Leather zashivaetsya.

Immediately after treatment

Your recovery will be carried out in an intensive care unit. The activity of the heart will be monitored with an electrocardiogram. It will be given pain medication, to ensure a comfortable recovery.

How long will the surgery?

About three hours.

Will it hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. The recovery period is often very sore breasts. In this case, the doctor prescribes pain medication, to reduce discomfort.

The average hospital stay

5-7 days.

Care of the patient after surgery “labyrinth”

Care in a hospital

During recovery in the hospital, you can get the following help:

• Fluids and pain medicine will be administered intravenously. You may be given medication, to control fluid accumulation;
• Efforts will be made, the patient was able to climb out of bed and began to walk as soon as possible;
• You will be asked to breathe deeply and cough frequently. This will help reduce the risk of fluid accumulation in the lungs;
• If you have a pacemaker, you will receive instructions on how to care for them.

Home Care

Full recovery can take up to six months. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions, which may include:

• If necessary, the need to rest. At the beginning of the recovery, you may feel more tired, than usual;
• Physical activity (walks, light exercise) assist in the healing process;
• Analgesics should be taken on the appointment. Some pain medications cause constipation. To avoid this, you need to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fiber;
• Keep the incision site clean and dry;
• It is necessary to stop doing certain activities (driving, Job, Active exercise), to full recovery;
• We need to ask your doctor about, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water.

Contact your doctor after surgery “labyrinth”

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Cough or shortness of breath;
• Chest pain;
• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Cardiopalmus;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding, or any discharge from the incision;
• Nausea and / or vomiting, which do not disappear after taking the prescribed medicines, and persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital;
• Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
• Coughing up blood;
• Headache or a feeling of weakness;
• Inability to urinate;
• Pain, burning, frequent urination or persistent bleeding in the urine;
• Pain and / or swelling of the legs, calves and feet;
• Other worrisome symptoms.

We need to call an ambulance, if there was any of the following symptoms of:

• Sudden chest pain;
• Sudden shortness of breath;
• Problems with vision or speech;
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body.