What to Expect the Day of Heart Surgery

You will be required to arrive at the hospital at least two hours before your scheduled surgery time. There are many things you and the nursing staff will have to do to get you ready for surgery. There is also a bit of paperwork to be filled out. Hopefully at the pre anesthesia testing appointment you have already had your labs drawn and been given a map with instructions on where to park and which part of the hospital to arrive for surgery. Hospitals can be very confusing places so familiarity with where to go can make your big day smoother. Expect to wait a little bit even if you are early or on time. Being a little early can help ensure the staff have adequate time to get you prepared.

After getting checked in with the nurse the anesthesiologist will come to meet you. They will discuss your health history and any prior surgeries or difficulties with surgery you may have had in the past. Do not hesitate to bring up any concerns especially with reactions to anesthesia or antibiotics. Your surgeon will also sign your consent and ask if you have any last minute questions.

In the operating room you will move over to the operating room table which is a cold and narrow bed. The anesthesiologist will put you to sleep. An arterial line will be inserted in your wrist before you go to sleep to instantaneously monitor your blood pressure throughout the operation and postoperative icu course. Once you are asleep the anesthesiologist will place and endotracheal (breathing) tube down your throat. Several special ivs will be placed in your nech to monitor your heart and deliver necessary medications. You will also have a foley catheter placed in your bladder for drainage and measurement of your urine. A probe (transesophageal echo) will also be placed down your throat to perform ultrasound of your heart before and during the operation.

There will be many people in the operating room, but don’t be alarmed. They are all there to help your surgeon and make sure you have a successful operation. Some of the people required for an open heart surgery are: the cardiothoracic surgeon (who performs the actual surgery), a first assistant (who will help to harvest vein if needed and will work opposite your surgeon to help them perform the work that needs to be done), two nurses (who help provide needed supplies and ensure safety), an anesthesiologist (who will keep you asleep during the procedure and monitor your vital signs), and a perfusionist (who will be responsible for running the heart-lung machine).

Want to know more?
https://ctsurgerypatients.org/before-during-and-after-surgery/day-of-heart-surgery