Chronic heart diseases, as well as congenital and acquired malformations, are the possible causes of disability. Unfortunately, the existing drug treatment methods do not cure the diseases, which eventually leads patients to cardiac surgery departments.
When is heart surgery carried out?
To prescribe a surgical intervention, German specialists assess the patient’s general condition, the severity of the heart disease, and the presence of concomitant pathologies. In cases when the patient’s condition is deteriorating rapidly, and if conservative treatment methods do not bring any results, surgical intervention is recommended.
German clinics perform surgeries for the following pathologies of the cardiovascular system:
- Congenital malformations (tetralogy of Fallot, Eisenmenger’s syndrome, aortic coarctation, etc.)
- Acquired malformations (stenosis and insufficiency of heart valves)
- Coronary heart disease
- Atherosclerosis of coronary vessels
- Rhythm and conduction disorders
The great advantage of undergoing cardiac surgery in Germany is that German specialists apply cutting-edge surgical techniques. In particular, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical interventions are performed in German departments of cardiac surgery.
Standard cardiac surgery procedures in Germany
Cardiac surgery in Germany offers a wide range of procedures that make even the most complex surgical manipulations a reality. Frequently performed surgical interventions include:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Pacemaker implantation
- Valve replacement surgery (aortic valve replacement in particular)
- Correction of congenital heart defects
- Treatment of heart rhythm disorders
- Heart transplantation
If the patient’s general condition and the nature of the surgical intervention allow, cardiac surgeons always try to use minimally invasive techniques and avoid open-heart surgery. One of the distinctive features of sparing techniques is a small incision (on average, about 5 cm), whereas with the classical variant of surgery its length is up to 30 cm.
As a result of using such sparing techniques, postoperative wounds heal faster and the recovery period is shorter. This means that the patient is discharged from the hospital earlier and saves money. The recovery period is well-tolerated, and the person can take care of himself, walk, and move around.
Anomalous pulmonary venous connection treatments
Anomalous pulmonary venous connection implies that pulmonary veins are atypically fixed to the heart, connecting lungs to the right atrium instead of the left one.
The pathology is treated with cardiac surgery. The type of connection determines the method of surgical correction. For example, surgical interventions for repair are performed to eliminate interatrial communication; children under three months of age in critical condition undergo a palliative shunting.
The occurrence of sick sinus syndrome and pulmonary hypertension due to incorrect formation of pulmonary vein outflow pathways can be observed in patients who have not undergone surgical treatment. Find more information about anomalous pulmonary venous connection treatments on the Booking Health website.
How to undergo cardiac surgery in Germany during a lockdown?
Even though the lockdown rules affect many countries, traveling for examination or treatment to Germany is still possible. What might be tricky is figuring out the first steps in treatment organization. With Booking Health, there’s no need to worry about any of that.
For your convenience, Booking Health offers treatment programs that can be personalized. By choosing any treatment program and spending a relatively short period in Germany, you will get reliable information about the condition of your cardiovascular system and the necessary therapy. At the end of a program, you will receive medical advice on rehabilitation and preventive measures. Emergency hospitalization in a cardiac surgery center in Germany can be carried out if necessary.
Feel free to check out the Booking Health website for more information about cardiac surgery in Germany. And, if you need any additional information, please, do leave a request on the website for a medical advisor to help you.
Vlada Tselomudrova
v.tselomudrova@bookinghealth.com