Bypass surgery
Diseases such as blockage of the vessels that supply the heart (coronary artery disease), heart attack and heart failure are among the leading causes of death in the world and in Türkiye. Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries results in the heart not being nourished and being unable to function. After the blocked or narrowed section of the coronary vessel is identified by coronary angiography (angio), bypass surgery is used to supply blood to the part of the heart that is not being nourished, using a vessel taken from another part of the body (for example, a vein from the leg or another artery). All routine tests are performed on the patient admitted to hospital. Bypass operations can be performed using a heart-lung machine or on the beating heart. An average of 6 units of blood is required for the operation (the blood group of the blood provided by the patient's relatives does not have to be the same as the patient's; our hospital's Blood Bank carries out the necessary exchange procedures). After the operation, patients are monitored in the intensive care unit with all the facilities of modern medicine by at least three doctors and specially trained staff. Once the patient's general condition improves, the patient is transferred to the ward. After medication and diet have been arranged, discharge is planned within 6-8 days if the clinical condition is suitable. The patient is called back for follow-up examinations at regular intervals.
Heart valve surgery
Due to various causes (often rheumatic), diseases of the heart valves develop, involving narrowing, insufficiency, or both together. In such diseases, the heart valve needs to be repaired or replaced with a prosthetic valve. Valve operations are also performed using a heart-lung machine, and 6 units of blood must be donated for each patient. The blood group of the blood to be donated does not have to be the same as the patient's. The length of stay in intensive care after valve surgery is normally two days. After medication and diet have been arranged, discharge is planned within 8-10 days, and the patient is called back for follow-up examinations at regular intervals.
Correction of congenital heart defects
Because of faulty development of the heart in the womb, abnormalities such as holes inside the heart, narrowings and incorrect vessel connections may occur. Some of these patients have a bluish skin color, and the children show developmental problems. Complete correction of this defect, or procedures that will sustain life, are carried out by congenital heart surgery. Unfortunately, children who do not receive this treatment may be lost at an early age or may lose the chance of an operation later on.
Congenital heart defects are very diverse, and their treatments differ. The child's age and weight also affect the treatment method. For this reason, the doctors of our department are always ready to give the necessary explanations about your child's condition and treatment options.
Arterial diseases
Obstructive diseases of the arterial system (atherosclerosis) and abnormal dilations (aneurysm) are the main vascular diseases encountered. Angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis and for determining the treatment to be performed. Leaving vascular diseases untreated can have various consequences depending on the location of the vessel (inability to walk, gangrene, stroke, failure of the organ it supplies, death). Repair of a blocked or non-functioning vessel is possible by surgically removing the obstructing plaque, bypassing the diseased area with the patient's own vein or an artificial vessel, or replacing the vessel. The patient generally stays in intensive care for one day after surgery, and for one week in hospital if an artificial vessel has been used.
Venous diseases
Although the best-known disease of the venous system is varicose veins, there are many diseases affecting this vascular system. Other venous diseases, like varicose veins, are also treated successfully in our department.
Patients who are candidates for varicose vein surgery are asked to bring a pair of compression stockings with them when they come for the operation. Operations can be performed under general anesthesia (fully asleep) or regional anesthesia (spinal anesthesia). Patients are admitted on the day of surgery or the day before, and are discharged the day after the operation.
Other diseases
In our department, sudden blockages and injuries of arteries and veins, as well as heart transplantation, are also performed successfully.