Cardiac Surgery

heartdisease

Important Developments in Cardiothoracic Surgery By Alice Lane

Cardiac surgery, which is performed on the heart or its great vessels to treat conditions of ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease due to endocarditis or other causes, or to correct congenital heart problems, has existed since the late nineteenth century. more...

The da Vinci Robot is Cutting Edge Technology for Cardiac Surgery By Alice Lane

We've come a long way from the days when the first open heart surgery operation took place in terms of cardiac rehabilitation programs. There may be a number of significant reasons for this progress including progress in the area of the surgery itself. One significant improvement is that of using robotic heart surgery and the impact that has on the recovery of the patient. The da Vinci surgical robot is being used quite regularly by skilled surgeons in the Chicago area.

The procedures are becoming more comfortable for the heart patients and thus an easier recovery. By using robotic-assisted surgical technique and allowing minimally invasive and extremely exacting surgical techniques, the patient has less trauma to their body, there is less pain and scarring which leads to faster healing and a reduction in the risk of infection. There is also the possibility of less blood loss during the surgery so the body is stronger coming out of the operation.

The use of robots in cardiothoracic surgery throughout the country may be on the increase but out of all of the hospitals, the Chicago area has perhaps some of the most prominent hospitals on the leading edge technology. The reasons for this commitment can be attributed to a number of reasons, but the number one reason is the patients. The focus on taking care of patients and on the path to healing is a driving force that allows this attention to detail. Being on the leading edge is not always the easy route to take.

Many places are limited by the cost, many are limited by ego or the fear to be the leader and some take the bull by the horns and step up to the task of figuring it out and getting it right. This type of leadership is common at Riverside and it bespeaks of the risks allowed and encouraged to help patients get in and get out with the least amount of trauma and injury. That is what doctors are and should be about. Do no harm. It is a long road to get people to understand that technology is a great assistant. For those who have been on the long road to being a trained surgeon it is hard to imagine wanting to take the time and effort to learn a new skill and become proficient at using a new tool.

In the United States and Canada it typically takes six to nine years as a resident to become a fully qualified cardiothoracic surgeon. This of course is after medical school and after undergraduate school. The dedication to their craft is undeniably astounding. The benefit to all this comes out when the patient now leaves the hospital after a few days instead of a few weeks. Not only are we able to do more with the heart and surgery, we are able to be more accurate and less invasive, all to the benefit of the patient.

NEW TOPICS

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HEART DISEASE by Loveyourbody00 on 7/26/2011 in Heart Health	0	522	7/26/2011 6:26:18 AM

HEART DISEASE by Loveyourbody00 on 7/26/2011 in Heart Health	0	345	7/26/2011 6:19:54 AM

Healthy Living Tips For Good Heart Health by 4455 on 5/19/2011 in Heart Health	1	960	5/19/2011 1:09:47 AM

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What is an ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)? by manuheart on 3/19/2011 in Electrocardiogram	0	755	3/19/2011 1:06:04 AM

Acute Heart Failure by jack4321 on 3/16/2011 in Acute Heart Failure	0	539	3/16/2011 6:53:46 AM

Increased meds for low blood pressure; Why? by kevenay on 1/18/2011 in After Heart Surgery	0	1037	1/18/2011 9:31:56 PM

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Menopause by Tigress2 on 11/20/2010 in General Questions	0	826	11/20/2010 4:16:23 PM

heart disease by cardiovascular on 10/30/2010 in General Questions	0	518	10/30/2010 8:57:02 AM

NEW REPLIES

	TOPIC		REPLIES		READS		REPLY DATE

Healthy Living Tips For Good Heart Health by 4455 on 5/19/2011 in Heart Health	1	960	5/19/2011 1:09:47 AM

High Cholestrol can be Dangerous by kathpeterson on 1/18/2011 in Cholesterol	1	1189	5/17/2011 9:34:36 PM

low blood pressure by smithrosemary1 on 8/28/2010 in General Questions	1	3573	9/27/2010 10:39:56 AM

HOT TOPICS

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low blood pressure by wendyfogg on 8/28/2010 in General Questions	1	3573	9/27/2010 10:39:56 AM

Calf Pain by laura on 11/23/2010 in Artery Disease	0	1442	11/23/2010 11:45:42 AM

High Cholestrol can be Dangerous by keanusmith on 1/18/2011 in Cholesterol	1	1189	5/17/2011 9:34:37 PM

blood pressure by smithrosemary1 on 9/27/2010 in General Questions	0	1147	9/27/2010 10:58:43 AM

Increased meds for low blood pressure; Why? by kevenay on 1/18/2011 in After Heart Surgery	0	1037	1/18/2011 9:31:56 PM

Healthy Living Tips For Good Heart Health by 4455 on 5/19/2011 in Heart Health	1	960	5/19/2011 1:09:47 AM

mother in law has a BP reading of 140 / 50 by bhampshire on 10/11/2010 in General Questions	0	870	10/11/2010 4:03:04 PM

Menopause by Tigress2 on 11/20/2010 in General Questions	0	826	11/20/2010 4:16:23 PM

rare medical condition of the aorta vein? by bedroomeyes77 on 9/13/2010 in General Questions	0	770	9/13/2010 1:46:49 PM

What is an ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)? by manuheart on 3/19/2011 in Electrocardiogram	0	755	3/19/2011 1:06:04 AM

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