If coronary artery bypass surgery is recommended for a person with coronary artery disease, reviews of patients who have undergone therapy in Israel will provide an invaluable service. People's stories clearly demonstrate the state of medicine in Russia and abroad, describe the intricacies of treatment, the infrastructure of clinics, the professionalism of doctors, and the cost of procedures. Online reviews about coronary artery bypass surgery can be found on specialized forums where people with similar symptoms communicate, share stories of the development of the disease and facts of successful treatment, as well as their own fears and concerns. Among like-minded people it is easy to get support from understanding people. In this article about coronary artery bypass surgery, patient reviews are collected from various sources. We tried not to filter reviews; we took as a basis not advertising materials, but real stories from yesterday's patients.
CABG – the secret lies in positivity
Driver Alexander Shapovalov, at the age of 66, underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, reviews of which inspired him with confidence before medical manipulation. Treatment was needed after two heart attacks. The first occurred in November 2006 and came as a complete surprise to Alexander and his family.
Before the attack, no symptoms appeared: “... I was active, in demand at work and at home. The only evidence of an unfavorable course of events was shortness of breath, whistling noises when breathing, and chest pain. A couple of days before the attack, I came across a brochure on how to behave during an attack. It saved my life. Having managed to call an ambulance, I opened the door in advance, before my strength left me, so that the doctors could enter the apartment without obstacles.
The team took me to the hospital, where I spent 1.5 weeks. After discharge, the doctor advised me to undergo angiography of blood vessels. He obeyed without talking. I didn’t know I wanted to live so much until I was faced with the threat of dying prematurely. The examination revealed blockage of the coronary arteries. Doctors recommended CABG surgery on the heart, the reviews and prognosis were favorable. I didn’t listen to the professionals and paid bitterly for my mistrust. Then a second attack occurred, after which I miraculously pulled out.
The wife insisted on CABG surgery, reviews of which she carefully studied on the Internet, reading relevant materials, corresponding with people who had experienced the misfortune. I gave in to persuasion and decided to undergo bypass surgery in Israel, although I previously thought that I would live as long as measured from above. The operation was carried out at the Assuta clinic under intravenous anesthesia. I woke up in the intensive care ward, surrounded by wires and tubes, completely sterile.
The next day I was transferred to a regular ward, where the doctors immediately began to accustom me to mastering physical activity. Before this, I studied reviews about cardiac coronary artery bypass surgery on forums and saw that patients were writing about their imminent return to normal life. My body ached, I was not in the mood, I wanted to lie down and not move, but the doctor insisted on exercises. On the first day of transfer to the ward, I sat while the nurse adjusted my bed.
Three days later I was slowly walking around the bed. My strength returned and my health improved. Six days later I was walking up and down the stairs. On the seventh day I was sent home. I did not expect that patient reviews convey the specifics of coronary artery bypass surgery so accurately. Indeed, only a week after the most complex surgical intervention, and I was sent home, where the care and treatment of the wound is carried out by a nurse who comes to check the state of affairs. At first I couldn’t even believe it, but looking back, I realized that I had done a lot in a week and recovered well.
Special thanks to the doctors. Despite my resistance, they gently but persistently did their job. They gave me a rehabilitation program. I went home and strictly followed the doctors’ orders. At first I took painkillers due to severe chest pain. I remember how the nurse said - you don’t need to be a hero if it hurts a lot. You need to take the drug and calm the pain.
A month after the operation, I was allowed to drive, but the ban on transporting passengers has not yet been lifted. They said they would look at his condition and see when he would be allowed to return to duty. The scar has already healed and looks neat. The wound on the leg, from which the vein was removed, has almost healed. Reading about coronary artery bypass surgery and patient reviews about sex, I noticed that people who had surgery were interested in this issue. It’s interesting, but after the first heart attack I didn’t even want to think about sex. My wife and I have been together for 44 years, during which time she has gained weight and does not evoke such desire as before. However, after CABG, I began to crave intimacy more every day.
I can leave a review about the CABG operation based on my own impressions. Throughout the entire period of treatment, I tried not to lose heart, but, on the contrary, joke, laugh, and be positive. I tried not to think about a possible complication, since bypass surgery ceases to be an exotic operation, becoming a standard procedure. I hope that in Russia the level of medicine will soon reach that of Israel. I believe that positivity helped me cope with the situation. Assuta's doctors carried out work of adequate quality. I am happy and plan to live as long as possible. And, of course, the doctors showed their skill, giving me the opportunity to enjoy every day.”
Myth 3. The pain may return
In fact . There is no need to wait for the pain to return, but it is better to imagine that it never happened at all. However, there is no need to perform “feats”. Everything should be in moderation. The patient must set realistic goals for himself: for example, today and tomorrow I will walk 50 meters, the next days - 75, then - 100...
Statistics show that not all patients, even after CABG, manage to get rid of angina. And this is not surprising: no matter how well the operation is performed, it is only one of the stages in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Doctors have not yet learned how to cleanse the heart vessels of atherosclerotic plaques, the main cause of the disease. Therefore, even after successful surgery, approximately half of patients may still have angina, manifested by chest pain during exercise. But the number of attacks and pills taken after CABG will still be less. So the patient’s quality of life will still improve. And most importantly, it will be possible to delay the onset of myocardial infarction, and therefore prolong life.
CABG surgery on the heart - Denis’s review of the procedure
“... My wife and I do not live poorly, so we have the opportunity to use the services of a private doctor, who over the past 5 years has turned into a family friend. We meet not only during examinations, but also in real time, when we want to drink a glass of beer in the evening or take a walk in St. Petersburg along the Neva. In our last meetings, Valera drew attention to the lethargy and fatigue that began to manifest itself in my behavior. His attentiveness, as it turned out later, saved my life.
I underwent a stress test (cardiac SPECT) and additional examinations. It turned out that one of the coronary arteries was blocked by more than 95%. Cardiac CABG was recommended to relieve symptoms, and the patient reviews I read online were encouraging. I decided to treat the disease in Assuta - I read a lot of good things about the Israeli clinic and the level of medicine abroad. I didn't regret it. My wife went with me and didn’t want to leave me alone. The price for the operation was reasonable. We got organized quickly, thanks to the coordination center.
I felt increased attention to myself in the hospital; the staff responded responsively to any requests. A vein was removed from the leg for surgery. After the operation, the wounds healed quickly. He took painkillers and other medications on the advice of doctors. Valera checked the treatment plans and all the information related to them at every stage. He said that everything was done professionally, there was simply nothing to complain about in the literal sense of the word.
A month later my health returns to normal. My wife and I walk in the evenings and breathe the air. For the first time in many years, he says that he loves me more than before. The possibility of losing me affected her very well. She became attentive, reverent, and tries to please me by any means necessary. This is the second youth. I am very glad that the disease was diagnosed on time and measures were taken to correct the condition. I realized that I love my wife and don’t want to lose our idyll with her. Don't be scared by terrible diagnoses, don't be upset about poor health. There is always a way out. Special thanks to the doctors of the Assuta clinic.”
Myth 6. After surgery you will be able to live without medication
In fact . People who have had CABG surgery should never stop taking their medications. Most of the drugs that are prescribed today after surgery are vital. To reduce the risk of shunts being blocked by blood clots, it is often necessary to take medications that reduce blood clotting.
Beta blockers are needed to reduce the heart's overworking. They lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. However, any changes in treatment must be agreed with your doctor. It is too risky to solve such issues yourself.
Maxim’s story – the pain started in his leg
Maxim approached the coordinators with the desire to undergo examination in Israel and receive treatment at the Assuta clinic. In Russia, he was recommended to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery; patient reviews on the Internet suggested a treatment option in Israel. Deciding not to hesitate, Maxim asked for help. When asked what made him do this, he answered “...I’m 61 years old, I don’t smoke, I’ve been involved in sports most of my life. I was alerted by pain in my leg that suddenly appeared in the middle of the night. You know, as if a tingling sensation spreads throughout the entire right leg, causing it to go numb from lack of movement. I got up, walked around the room, warmed up. When signs began to appear in my right arm, my wife called an ambulance. The team took me to the hospital, where I was examined and told that it was urgently necessary to undergo surgery - bypass surgery.
I don't know why, but I was scared. I went online and spent three hours searching for information on doctors, clinics, and prices. I wrote a letter to the coordinators, they answered me within 3 hours. At this time I just didn’t climb the wall from tension. We called representatives of the Israeli side and agreed on an operation in Assuta. Three days later I was there, meeting the doctors. The operation was performed on an open heart. I didn't feel any discomfort. I woke up in the intensive care ward. A day later I was transferred to a regular ward. I was in the hospital for a week. Then I registered for cardiac rehabilitation. They rented an apartment for me next to the clinic and arranged for the help of a nurse.
A month later I flew home to Russia. Relatives met me at the airport. Friends and loved ones. It felt like I had returned from the other world. And I, like a boy, stood and rejoiced at my native Sheremetyevo, the light wind of the Moscow streets, the smiling faces of my loved ones. Thanks to the doctors of Assuta for returning the taste of life to me. I want to live and enjoy every day without fear of complications and serious consequences. So far I have succeeded. I carefully follow all the doctors’ recommendations. I hope the results will last for a long time.”
Coronary artery bypass grafting – statistics of changes
When detailed, CABG results demonstrate a change in the patient's condition. As a result of normalized blood flow to the myocardium:
- angina attacks are neutralized;
- improvements in physical condition are observed;
- the risk of developing myocardial infarction is reduced;
- performance improves, the volume of physical activity increases;
- pharmacological assistance is reduced to a minimum.
The most important thing is that life expectancy increases and the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest after surgery decreases. Patient reviews show improvements in the vast majority of cases. Doctors performing coronary artery bypass surgery give a favorable prognosis. Specialists return the patient to normal life and make ordinary human joys accessible to seriously ill patients.
After CABG, statistics show the neutralization of frightening health problems in 80% of cases. In 85% of situations, re-blockage of blood vessels does not occur. Many patients have concerns about short life expectancy after surgery. There is no clear answer to this question. Much depends on accompanying factors - lifestyle, age parameters, bad habits. On average, the service life of the shunt is determined by a 10-year period; in young patients it can be extended. At the end of the period, repeat CABG is recommended.
The effectiveness of the operation has now been proven by the global scientific community, but coronary artery bypass grafting does not always have a favorable prognosis. Like any surgical intervention, the procedure has complications. In medical practice, the following have been noted: heart attack, stroke, incision infection, vein thrombosis. Patients themselves are often to blame for the lack of improvement. This is due to unreasonable fears for life, fears of death, stress and “obsession” with the disease. Patients are recommended to undergo rehabilitation with the participation of a psychologist. To reduce the risk of developing undesirable consequences, you should contact professional doctors who are highly qualified and have successful experience in performing operations.
The patient decides whether surgery is necessary. For a balanced choice, a comprehensive assessment of all risks is necessary. The doctor warns about them at the stage of examination and development of recommendations for further treatment. After CABG, mortality statistics are minimal. Today, the operation is performed even in complex cases and in old age. This is a chance to prolong your life and improve your own health.
2.Which arteries are used to bypass the heart vessels?
There are several types of arteries used for cardiac bypass:
- The internal mammary arteries
are the most common option. Studies have shown the best long-term results of thoracic artery transplantation with vascular bypass grafting. These arteries are located in the chest and can be accessed through the main incision made for the bypass surgery itself. During a transplant, graft arteries are attached to the coronary artery below the site of the blockage. - The saphenous veins in the leg
are first taken from the leg and then attached to the coronary artery below the site of the blockage. Preliminary surgery to obtain a graft vessel can be minimally invasive, which makes it possible to get by with a minimum of scars and quickly recover after surgery. - Radial arteries
. At the bottom of the shoulder there are two arteries - the ulnar and radial. In most people, normal blood flow is provided through the ulnar artery, and removing the radial artery will not cause any side effects. Therefore, it can be used as a graft. But the possibility of removing the radial artery is checked before surgery. For example, if the patient has certain diseases (Raynaud's syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, pain in the fingers in the cold), this type of bypass is not recommended. To reach the artery, an incision is made in the forearm. Sometimes there is numbness in the wrist after surgery, but this usually goes away gradually. - The gastroepiploic artery
of the stomach and the inferior epigastric artery are rarely used for bypass surgery, but it does occur occasionally.
The coronary bypass surgery itself can be performed using traditional surgery or minimally invasive methods.
. Based on the health status of each patient, the doctor will determine whether minimally invasive vascular bypass surgery is possible in this case.
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3.How is traditional vascular bypass surgery performed?
During heart bypass surgery, the surgeon makes an incision down the center of the sternum to gain direct access to the patient's heart. Of course, the operation is performed under general anesthesia. During it, the patient is connected to a machine that artificially maintains blood circulation throughout the body. The heart stops and the surgeon then performs a blood vessel transplant procedure. Typically, cardiac arrest lasts approximately 30-90 minutes throughout the entire 4-5 hours of surgery. After bypass surgery, the incision in the chest is closed.
There is technology for bypass surgery on a beating heart
. Those. it is not required to stop at all, and artificial heart and lung ventilation devices are not used. This procedure is more complicated and requires high-tech equipment in the operating room, but it is also successfully carried out in our clinics. Modern medicine makes it possible to operate on all coronary arteries using this method. This technology may be effective for patients who may be at increased risk of complications due to the use of heart and lung support devices. For example, those who have severe calcification (plaque deposition) of the aorta, carotid artery stenosis, stroke, transient ischemic attack, lung and kidney problems.
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4.What is minimally invasive cardiac bypass surgery?
During minimally invasive vascular bypass surgery, the surgeon performs the operation through a small incision in the chest. This bypass option, for example, is suitable for patients who require transplantation of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery. In some cases, closed chest bypass surgery is performed using robotic technology. In this case, surgeons only need to make a very small incision.
The advantages of minimally invasive bypass surgery are obvious - a small incision is made, which means there will be a small scar on the chest. The period of postoperative hospital stay is also shortened. It usually takes 3 days instead of 5-6 days after traditional bypass surgery. Recovery is faster and easier. In addition, with minimally invasive bypass surgery there is usually less bleeding, a lower risk of infection, and the patient experiences less pain.
