Download ascending-aorta surgery

ASCENDING-AORTA SURGERY
You need to have surgery on your ascending aorta. This pamphlet you explains how the heart
functions and the main steps in the surgery.
YOUR HEART
The heart is a muscle located in the center of the
chest between the lungs. It works like a pump,
circulating blood in order to provide the body
with oxygen and nutrients.
The parts of the heart are the atria, ventricles,
valves, and coronary arteries.
Valves
The Aorta
The aorta is the largest
artery in the body. It
begins at the top of the
left ventricle and carries
the blood pumped by
the heart to the various
branches of the
circulatory system,
which supply all of the
body's organs.
ASCENDING-AORTA SURGERY
Atrium
Ventricle
Blood circulates in four chambers referred to as
the atria and ventricles. The upper two chambers
are the atria; the lower two are the ventricles.
The heart has four valves that are flap-like tissue
structures that open and close with each
heartbeat. The valves allow blood to pass
through the atria and ventricles, ensuring that
blood flows in the right direction.
The coronary arteries are located on the surface
of the heart, providing it with blood and oxygen.
An aneurysm (abnormal bulge) can occur in any
of the body's arteries, including the ascending
aorta. Ascending-aorta surgery consists in
removing the diseased part of the aorta
(aneurysm) and
reconstructing the
artery with synthetic
tissue.
The aneurysm can also
be located near the
aortic valve. In such
cases, the valve is also
replaced during the
operation.
MAIN STEPS
OF THE SURGERY
Prosthetic
Tube
General Anesthesia
Before putting you under, the care team will
connect you to a cardiac monitor (which
measures arterial pressure), a saturometer
(which measures blood oxygen level), and an IV
drip. Then, you will be anesthetized (put to
sleep).
Once you have been put to sleep, a tube will be
installed to help you breathe as well as a urinary
catheter and venous-access lines. An
anesthetist will monitor you during the
procedure.
Opening the Sternum (Sternotomy)
Usually, the surgeon will perform a sternotomy.
This technique consists in sawing your sternum
in half vertically
and in separating
the two sides. This
approach gives the
surgeon access to
your heart.
Temporarily Stopping the Heart
(extracorporeal circulation)
Your heart will be temporarily stopped and you
will be connected to a cardiopulmonary bypass
pump. This device is often referred to as a
heart–lung machine because it takes over their
functions.
Resection of the Diseased Portion of the
Aorta
The disease portion will be replaced with a
synthetic prosthetic tube that is connected to
both healthy ends of the aorta.
In addition to repairing the diseased portion
(aneurysm), the aortic valve will have to be
repaired or replaced if it is defective.
Once the procedure has been completed, your
heart will be restarted.
Closing the Sternum
At the end of the operation, your sternum will be
put back into its normal position and attached with
steel wires.
IMPORTANT
 If you have to cancel or postpone your admission.
 If you have a cold, the flu, a fever, or an infection
the day before your surgery.
Promptly call the admissions office at
819-346-1110, extension 13058.
Authors
Cardiopulmonary-Care Patient Program
Surgical Patient Program
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© Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
(CHUS)
chus.qc.ca
January 2015 – 1-6-71913