Cardiovascular surgery is a medical specialty that provides the surgical treatment of diseases related to the heart and vascular system. This field covers a wide range of conditions, from congenital heart diseases and coronary artery disease to vascular occlusions and aneurysms.
What is Cardiovascular Surgery?
Cardiovascular surgery is a medical department that provides the surgical treatment of diseases related to the heart and circulatory system. This department focuses on correcting serious problems involving the structure of the heart, heart valves, and the vascular system throughout the body through surgical procedures.
The heart and blood vessels are among the most vital systems that sustain the body’s essential functions. Therefore, cardiovascular surgery becomes necessary in cases that cannot be controlled with medication or that directly require surgical intervention.
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Which Diseases Does Cardiovascular Surgery Treat?
Cardiovascular surgery deals with the treatment of many diseases affecting the heart and vascular system that require surgical intervention. The main diseases treated in this department include:
- Coroner artery disease: Develops as a result of narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying the heart and can be treated with surgical methods such as bypass surgery.
- Heart valve diseases: In cases of narrowing or insufficiency of the heart valves, valve repair or replacement may be required.
- Aortic aneurysm (ballooning): Enlargement of the aorta may require surgical intervention due to the risk of rupture.
- Peripheral vascular diseases: Narrowing or blockages in the arteries of the arms and legs can be treated surgically.
- Varicose veins (venous insufficiency): Varicose veins caused by damage to the vein valves can be treated with surgical methods in advanced cases.
- Congenital heart diseases: Congenital structural defects in the heart can be corrected with surgical intervention.
- Carotid artery disease: Narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain increases the risk of stroke and may require surgical treatment.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clots formed in the veins may require surgical or interventional treatment in certain cases.
- Cardiac tumors: Rare tumors occurring in the heart can be surgically removed.
- Diabetic vascular diseases: Surgical treatment may be applied in cases of advanced vascular damage caused by diabetes.
What Tests Are Performed in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department?
The tests performed in the cardiovascular surgery department are diagnostic methods used to accurately evaluate the structure of the heart and vascular system, blood flow, and the need for surgical intervention. Thanks to these tests, the location, severity, and treatment plan of the disease can be determined more clearly. The main tests commonly used include:
- Electrocardiography (ECG): Evaluates the electrical activity of the heart and provides information about arrhythmias and heart damage.
- Echocardiography (ECHO): Uses sound waves to visualize the structure of the heart, heart valves, and pumping function.
- Doppler ultrasonography: Examines blood flow within the vessels and helps detect narrowing or blockages.
- Cardiac Stress Test: Assesses the heart’s performance during exercise and can reveal hidden heart diseases.
- Coronary angiography: Provides clear visualization of narrowing and blockages in the coronary arteries using contrast material.
- Cardiac catheterization: Allows detailed evaluation by measuring intracardiac pressures and circulatory dynamics.
- Lung X-ray: Provides general information about the size of the heart and pulmonary circulation.
- Cardiography (CSG): One of the advanced diagnostic methods used to evaluate the overall functions of the heart and circulatory system.
- Blood laboratory tests: Assess various parameters such as cholesterol levels, infection, coagulation, and organ functions to determine the patient’s overall health status before surgery.
- Cardiac CT and MRI: Provide detailed cross-sectional images of the heart and vascular structures, offering advanced diagnostic support especially in complex cases.
What Treatment Methods Are Applied in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department?
The treatment methods applied in the cardiovascular surgery department are planned individually according to the type of disease, its extent, and the patient’s overall health condition. Within this scope, open surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and robotic approaches may be used together. The main treatment methods include:
Coronary Bypass Surgery
A surgical treatment method performed to restore blood flow when there is severe narrowing or blockage in the arteries supplying the heart.
Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
A procedure performed to repair or replace heart valves with artificial or biological valves when valve stenosis or insufficiency occurs.
Arterial Diseases Intervention
The treatment of narrowing, blockage, or structural disorders in the arteries through surgical or interventional methods.
Venous Disease Interventions and Varicose Vein Surgery
This includes treatment methods applied in cases such as valve insufficiency, dilation, and circulatory disorders in the veins.
Hybrid Application
An advanced technology-supported combined approach in which surgical and interventional procedures are used together within the same treatment plan.
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Surgeries performed using smaller surgical incisions in selected patients, which may provide a more comfortable recovery process.
Robotic Heart Surgery
A surgical method performed with the assistance of robotic systems that provide high precision and allow treatment with less trauma.
Aortic Surgery
Includes the surgical treatment of dilation, aneurysm, rupture, or other structural problems developing in the aorta.
Heart Failure Surgery
Surgical treatments applied in patients with advanced heart failure to support heart function or improve quality of life.
Congenital Heart Diseases Surgery
Includes surgical procedures aimed at correcting structural abnormalities present in the heart from birth.
Carotid Artery Surgery
A surgical treatment performed to reduce the risk of stroke when narrowing occurs in the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Peripheral Vascular Bypass Surgery
A procedure performed to restore circulation by creating an alternative blood flow pathway when severe blockage occurs in the arteries of the arms or legs.
Endarterectomy
A treatment method that restores blood flow by surgically removing plaques inside the artery that reduce circulation.
Endovascular Treatments (EVAR/TEVAR)
EVAR/TEVAR are closed treatment methods applied by entering through the vessel, especially in aortic and large vessel diseases, without the need for open surgery.
Cardiac Tumour Surgery
This is a treatment method aimed at surgically removing benign or malignant masses that develop in the heart.
Pericardial Surgery
This includes surgical procedures performed to treat diseases that develop in the membrane structure surrounding the heart.
