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Difference Between Open Heart Surgery and Bypass Surgery

Open-heart surgery includes bypass surgery, which involves rerouting blood flow around blocked arteries to improve heart muscle circulation. Thus, bypass surgery is a subset of open-heart surgeries.

  • 6,211 Views | Updated on: Jun 12, 2024

Open heart and bypass are two terms most commonly used in relation to heart surgery, but they are entirely different. To stay informed, you must understand the fundamental difference between open heart surgery and bypass surgery.

Key Takeaways

  • Open-heart surgery is a broader term encompassing various procedures, while bypass surgery specifically addresses blocked coronary arteries.
  • Bypass surgery involves rerouting blood flow around blocked arteries to improve heart muscle circulation.
  • Open-heart surgery may involve valve repairs, replacements, or congenital defect corrections.
  • Bypass surgery targets coronary artery blockages to reduce the risk of heart attacks and improve blood flow to the heart.
  • Both surgeries require opening the chest, but open-heart procedures can involve more extensive interventions beyond bypassing arteries.

In case you get confused between the two, here are all the details you need to know about:

What is Open Heart Surgery?

As the name suggests, this kind of heart surgery involves making cuts in the patient’s chest to reach the heart. Open heart surgery is performed if there is a blockage in the artery supplying blood to the heart. It is conducted to prevent the risk of a fatal heart attack and replace or repair the damaged heart valves.

What is a Bypass Surgery?

Bypass surgery is a specific type of open-heart surgery in which doctors usually open the patient’s chest to access the heart. After opening the chest, the doctors perform the remainder of the surgery in two avatars: off-pump and on-pump.

For off-pump surgeries, the patient’s heart keeps on beating throughout the entire procedure; thus, it is also known as beating heart surgery. Under this surgery, no heart-lung machine is required by the doctor. Also, this type of surgery is often possible without the cut in the chest and is thus categorized as closed heart surgery. The side effects and risks vary from individual to individual. Seek the advice of doctors in this case.

On the other hand, in the case of an on-pump surgery, the surgeons use heart-lung machines to stop the heart and efficiently conduct the operation. The heart-lung device helps in blood circulation and breathing alike. This surgery is performed by making cuts in the chest of the patient.

Now that you know the difference between bypass and open heart surgery, you can easily make an informed and well-thought-out decision about buying an appropriate plan.

When Do You Need Heart Surgery?

You may require heart surgery under the below-mentioned conditions:

  • If the blockage is witnessed in the left-hand main coronary artery of the patient.
  • Severe chest pain due to the blockages in multiple arteries responsible for supplying blood to the body.
  • An artery has witnessed narrowing symptoms after any procedure that has been taken.
  • An ailment has grown inside the coronary arteries, which has led to issues in the functioning of the left-side ventricle.

Care and Other Aspects

After heart surgery, it takes time for the patient to recover. Therefore, the patient should stay under appropriate care to combat side effects and heal faster. Some of the main aspects worth noting in the patient after the surgery include:

  • The wound zone of the patient should remain dry and clean all the time.
  • If blood drains or oozes from the cut in the chest, or if there is redness or burning sensation around the cut, or if the fever exceeds 100 F, the doctor should be called immediately.
  • The patient must rest properly and avoid pulling, pushing, or lifting heavy items or standing in a single position for more than 15 minutes.
  • They should not walk every day or lift weights.
  • They should not climb the stairs or drive in most cases.
  • The patient should eat a healthy, balanced diet, not fried or spicy.
  • The doctor recommends light meals and exercises.
  • Doctors even recommend CABG in case the patient has blocked arteries in the heart, which might cause a heart attack in the future. It is a precaution taken to avoid future fatalities.

Are these Surgeries Covered Under the Health Insurance Plan?

Many health insurance companies offer critical illness coverage to policyholders today. These critical illness plans cover the policyholder’s surgeries, including bypass and open-heart surgery. Also, all heart-related ailments are aptly covered under the insurance policy.

Conclusion

Having a clear understanding of the difference between open heart surgery and bypass surgery, you must also know that these surgeries involve huge costs. Undergoing an open heart or a bypass surgery helps to avoid the risk of losing life. In these cases, getting financial aid through a health insurance plan is advisable.


Therefore, you must plan and buy a critical illness plan from a health insurance company to get financial aid during an uncertain and unpredictable time without worrying about your finances.

FAQs on Open Heart Surgery vs Bypass Surgery


1

Is open-heart surgery and bypass the same?

Open-heart surgery is a general term for any surgery requiring a chest incision to access the heart. Bypass surgery, a specific type of open-heart surgery, creates a new route for blood to flow around a blocked coronary artery.



2

What percentage of blockage requires a bypass?

Bypass surgery is typically recommended for patients with severe blockages, usually when one or more coronary arteries are more than 70-90% blocked and causing significant symptoms or risks of heart attack.



3

What is the age limit for bypass surgery?

There is no specific age limit for bypass surgery; eligibility depends on various factors, including overall health, the extent of heart disease, and the ability to tolerate surgery. Many patients in their 70s and 80s have successfully undergone the procedure.


4

Who is not eligible for bypass surgery?

Individuals with advanced age, severe coexisting health conditions, or those deemed too frail to tolerate surgery may not be considered suitable candidates for bypass surgery, as the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.


5

Can bypass surgery be done without an open heart?

Some minimally invasive procedures, such as off-pump or beating-heart surgery, allow bypass surgery to be performed without the need for opening the chest and using a heart-lung machine, but the feasibility depends on the specific case and surgeon’s expertise.

Amit Raje
Written By :
Amit Raje

Amit Raje is an experienced marketer who has worked in various Fintechs and leading Financial companies in India. With focused experience in Digital, Amit has pioneered multiple digital commerce in India. Now, close to two decades later, he is the vice president and head of the D2C business department. He masters the skill of strategic management, also being certified in it from IIMA. He has challenged his challenges and contributed his efforts in this journey of digital transformation.

Amit Raje
Reviewed By :
Prasad Pimple

Prasad Pimple has a decade-long experience in the Life insurance sector and as EVP, Kotak Life heads Digital Business. He is responsible for developing user friendly product journeys, creating consumer awareness and helping consumers in identifying need for life insurance solutions. He has 20+ years of experience in creating and building business verticals across Insurance, Telecom and Banking sectors

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