Coronary artery bypass grafting in Germany
Coronary artery bypass grafting (abbreviated as CABG) is the construction of a bypass or shunt between the vessels and aorta that supplies the heart muscle.
The operation is carried out in the case when severe vascular lesions were diagnosed. The purpose of medical manipulation is to relieve angina attacks, as well as to prevent complications of ischemic heart disease (IHD).
Coronary artery bypass grafting in Germany is carried out exclusively using innovative methods of the cardiac surgery field. This methodology makes it possible to perform surgical interventions on the "working" heart.
Minimally invasive methods involve performing an operation by making a small incision in the chest. The process takes place without connecting a heart-lung machine. This completely eliminates the risks of vascular complications and infection. Moreover, the technique significantly shortens the rehabilitation period.
Important! For patients with moderate and severe angina pectoris, CABG helps to eliminate pain in the chest area. This allows patients to exercise without pain or shortness of breath. This way, people can continue to lead their normal life.
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Benefits of coronary artery bypass grafting in Germany
Surgeries carried out in cardiology centers in Germany have several unique aspects:
- Medical manipulations is performed on a "beating" heart. Bypass surgery can occur both with the use of a heart-lung machine and without it. German surgeons always prefer to perform the intervention on the "beating" heart, if there are no contraindications. This operation is more complicated and requires the highest degree of concentration from the doctor. But thanks to this method, the patient's recovery time will be significantly reduced, there will be no damage to blood cells, the operation time will be much shorter, which means that the operational risk will decrease. Cardiac bypass surgery does not lead to the complications that can occur if a heart-lung machine is used. Otherwise, the side effects are quite serious. These include pulmonary edema, insufficient oxygen saturation of internal organs, embolism of the kidneys, cerebral vessels;
- The operating scar is smaller. Coronary artery bypass grafting in Germany is performed through a small incision. Thanks to this, the patient goes through the postoperative stage much faster. A person can cough, experience less pain, and rather return to normal activities. Moreover, the risk of infection in the wound, the occurrence of bleeding is reduced, and the external, the scar is more aesthetic;
- Endoscopic methods. CABG is not performed in these ways. However, the patient undergoes two operations at a time. The first is to remove the vessels that will be used as prosthesis. This stage is performed endoscopically. As a result, the patient will not have a pronounced scar after surgery. Moreover, the risk of complications is much lower;
- Rehabilitation. The second most important thing among German specialists is the postoperative period of patients. Thanks to competent control, health care workers reduce mortality during the first decade by 50%. The passage of the rehabilitation period improves the quality of later life.
- Modern diagnostic methods. Before the operation, the patient undergoes examination using the latest equipment. According on its results surgeons plan surgery and evaluate the possibility of minimally invasive intervention.
What types of coronary artery bypass grafting are performed in Germany?
Depending on the clinical picture, CABG is performed using the CPB system or bypass surgery is performed on the "beating" heart. Surgery with CPB can lead to blood injuries, and it also significantly prolongs the recovery period. Therefore, beating heart bypass surgery has advantages, but such an operation, alas, is not indicated for everyone.
Traditional surgery
The incision is made in the middle of the chest. The heart muscle is "turned off" from the blood circulation. The patient's life is supported by a heart-lung machine. It allows you to saturate the plasma with oxygen and deliver it to the body. At the same time, the blood is filtered and also maintains the desired temperature.
In this case, coronary artery bypass grafting in German clinics is performed on an unbeatable heart. The doctor makes a connection between the normally functioning area of the coronary vessels and the vein. The operation takes 3-5 hours. The work of the heart is resumed after the completion of the surgical.
Important! CABG has several degrees of complexity. Which of them to apply is decided depending on the complexity of the disease and the number of affected arteries. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the duration of the operation - it differs from case to case.
Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiac arrest
The operation is performed using appropriate equipment, the ability of which is to minimize myocardial contractions. This modern technique, used by German doctors, is able to reduce the risks of cardiac arrest, as well as the negative consequences that the passage of blood through the CPB system can cause.
Diagnostics before heart bypass surgery in German clinics
Bypass surgery in Germany begins with a cardiac surgery consultation. The doctor draws up a detailed concept of the procedures that the patient needs to perform before the intervention. The number of medical procedures includes:
- Echocardiography or ultrasound examination of cardiac activity;
- ECG. It is done in a calm state, and in a state of increased stress, when the myocardium needs an increased dose of oxygen;
- Scintigraphy, which is a study that determines the "affected" areas of the myocardium;
- Spirometry - diagnosing lung volume;
- Angiography - the study of blood vessels;
- Traditional analyzes performed before surgery;
- Consultation appointment with an anesthesiologist.
German specialists need to study the established disease in order to clearly understand the whole picture.
Important! Patients need to be prepared for the fact that the vast majority of procedures they will have to undergo again, since the results of some examinations are valid for a short time. Before surgery, the doctor must have valid test results. In addition, German law requires that you have the results of diagnostics on hand before undergoing medical procedures.
How is rehabilitation after CABG in Germany going?
The rehabilitation period after coronary artery bypass grafting in Germany is to restore normal myocardial activity. A positive result is achieved by gradually increasing the workload under the total supervision of experienced cardiologists.
Postoperative methods for restoring the body include exercising on simulators, walking, jogging and swimming. The basic requirement is to constantly monitor blood pressure and heart rate. The passage of correct rehabilitation completely eliminates the danger to the patient's life and returns him to normal life.
Rehabilitation therapists at German cardiology centers for each patient select a unique, individual program aimed at recovering from surgery. The rehabilitation is supervised by an experienced cardiologist, who sets the amount and nature of stress for every day. This approach enables patients to return to a fulfilling life in the shortest possible time.
For an active life, without the occurrence of atherosclerosis, you need to reconsider your attitude to the lifestyle and foods used in food. Patients receive all invaluable information from German surgeons who perform operations. By editing their lifestyle, patients are able to save blood vessels from atherosclerosis and protect the heart from diseases.
Prices for coronary artery bypass grafting clinics in Germany
The cost of bypass surgery in Germany is commensurate with the prices of popular Ukrainian clinics. However, due to the minimized recovery time, therapy in Germany sometimes becomes more beneficial for patients.
The price of therapy depends on the stage of the disease, its nature, treatment plan, and the amount of medical work. All these aspects are strictly individual and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Important! To establish the approximate cost of surgical treatment, specialists need to know the history of the disease, complaints, indicators, X-rays, and have discs with the results of the examination. All of this can be submitted online.
Approximate prices for diagnostics and therapy are shown in the table below:
Procedure | Cost |
Coronarography | from €3500 |
CABG | from €19000 |
Stenting | from €8500 |
Violetta YanyshevskaAuthor and medical editor
