What responsibilities do a cardiac surgeon undertakes?

A cardiac surgeon is a well trained, accredited healthcare professional who performs diverse surgical operations on human hearts. Helped by different speciality surgeons and nurse practitioners, he or she makes the best use of surgical and robotic equipments to implement intricate surgeries. Usually, he is required to perform emergency surgeries to save people from life threatening conditions but one has book an appointment prior to visiting him. Most surgeons practice with big, reputed hospitals and heart care centres, though some opt for private practice as well.

Surgeons operate on individuals with several health problems and those who have developed heart ailments due to bad eating habits, age, cancer, diabetes etc. A cardiac surgeon is responsible for conducting tests and examinations to detect the presence of any physical aberrations or functional problems, consult the patient and fellows about the test reports and determine if a surgery is obligatory. He conducts operations with utmost care, making sure the patient is safe. Post surgery, he himself and along with practising nurses monitor the vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate of the patient to ensure a successful surgery.

Some cardiac surgeons are expert in certain procedures. For instance, a paediatric cardiac surgeon operates on infants, small kids or adolescents. Others have specialised knowledge on procedures such as valve repair & replacement, robotic cardiac surgery, heart transplants and many more. Some professionals choose to study dummy hearts and other implants.

In order to become a qualified cardiac surgeon, a person should complete medical graduation followed by a four year doctoral program from a certified medical school. After that, he needs to serve as an intern at a hospital and assume a seven to ten year residency. The latter part of a surgeon’s residency is dedicated towards performing heart surgeries under close supervision of the senior professionals.

Since medical technology is evolving at a rapid pace, it requires cardiac surgeons to engage in regular education and stay updated on the latest evolvements. With an increasing population of old people and advent of new diseases, the demand for knowledgeable surgeons is on the rise. Patients prefer those with computer expertise as these days as the operative machinery requires data interpretation. 

Types of surgeries a cardiac surgeon performs

• One of the most prevalent surgeries is coronary artery bypass grafting. Cardiac surgeons repair the aneurysms to the aorta, which is the key vessel coming out of the heart.
• Another type of surgery is the replacement of a heart valve. There are four valves but most commonly only two valves, mitral and aortic are replaced. This surgery becomes relevant when there is inadequate blood flow to the heart affecting its proper functioning.
• Heart transplant operation is another type of cardiac surgery which is performed when a person suffers from heart failure. While the patient waits for a donor, a cardiac surgeon implants a ventricular assistive device. This is necessary for non-stop blood pumping. When the heart fails, it stops pumping blood to the body. The only way left is to go for a heart transplant.