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Once other options have been explored, surgery may be recommended as the best method to improve a patient's condition. The cardiovascular surgeons at Baptist East are the same highly trained professionals who operate at Louisville's other major heart centers, and more than 500 open heart surgeries are performed each year at Baptist East.
In addition to standard open heart procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafts and valve repair and replacement surgeries, the cardiovascular surgeons at Baptist East are also trained in minimally invasive procedures, including off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. All of these procedures are performed in Baptist East's dedicated open heart surgery suites.
After surgery, patients stay in a dedicated open heart recovery unit, staffed with nurses who specialize in post-surgery care for heart patients. Open-heart patients typically stay four to five days in the hospital following surgery. Family members can visit loved ones during their stay, and are an important part of their recovery. To better prepare patients and their families, Baptist East offers family classes, which teach patients and their caregivers about heart disease, hospital and home activity, signs of complications and rehabilitation. All of this information is available before patients leave the hospital for home.
Open heart surgery patients can be visited at home by staff from the Baptist Hospital East Home Health Agency. Registered nurses specially trained in cardiac care teach patients about medication and diet, as well as provide check-ups to make sure the heart is functioning properly. Home health aides can provide assistance with bathing, meals and other needs. Depending on the patients' needs, physical and occupational therapists can help increase mobility and range of motion for patients as they recover. A chaplain is always available to listen to patient and family concerns and help them through recovery.
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