When a doctor tells you or someone you know that you need open-heart surgery, it's normal to feel a little nervous. You've probably heard stories like "the operation is performed after the heart stops." How is that actually done? How does blood flow to the body when the heart stops? How does it get oxygen? The answer to those questions is the heart-lung machine we're going to talk about, or in medical terms, the Cardiopulmonary Bypass . Let's talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
Although this name may seem a bit long, the meaning is very simple. Let's break it down into words.
- Cardio is for your heart .
- Pulmonary refers to your lungs .
- Bypass means to avoid something.
Simply put, Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure in which the blood flow in the body is temporarily bypassed by the heart and lungs during heart surgery and is directed through a special machine outside the body. This machine is also called a heart-lung machine .
Imagine a major road repair. At that time, the vehicles are diverted to another route until the work is done? That's what happens here too. It's easier for a surgeon to operate on the heart when the heart is not beating and not filled with blood. So this machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs. That means:
- It collects oxygen-depleted blood in the body.
- New oxygen is added to that blood.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.
- This cleaned, oxygenated blood is then pumped back into the body .
In this way, oxygenated blood is continuously supplied to all other organs of the body throughout the entire surgery. This process is called being "on the pump." Usually, a special drug solution called ``cardioplegia'' is given to stop the heart.
Are Cardiopulmonary Bypass and CABG different?
This is something that many people get confused about. These two are not the same thing, but they often occur together.
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is the name of the surgery . This is a surgery that creates a new path (bypass) for blood to flow through the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart when they become blocked by fatty deposits.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a technique used during CABG surgery (and other heart surgeries). It is a method used to bypass the heart and lungs to help the surgeon perform the CABG surgery more easily and safely.
Simply put, CABG is like building a car engine. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is like connecting a separate battery to the outside of the car to power things like the lights and AC while building the engine.
What types of surgeries require this method?
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is usually required for the following surgeries:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Surgery for aneurysms
- Heart transplant surgery
- Heart valve surgery (heart valve repair or replacement)
- Lung transplant surgery
How does this heart-lung machine work?
This machine is like a temporary heart and two lungs outside the body. Let's take a look at the main functions it performs.
| Machine function | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Removing blood from the heart | The body's oxygen-depleted blood is drawn into the machine. |
| Adding oxygen and removing CO2 | This is exactly what our lungs do. They add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. |
| Control of blood temperature and electrolyte levels | Helps reduce body temperature or maintain it at the required level during surgery. |
| Pumping back oxygenated blood | This is exactly what our heart does. It distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. |
| Giving heart-stopping drugs | To make it easier for the surgeon to work, the doctor will administer the necessary medication (cardioplegia) to temporarily stop the heart. |
What are the main parts of the machine?
This machine is a combination of several parts.
- Cannulas: These are special tubes that are connected to your body's blood vessels and used to collect blood from the machine and return it to your body.
- Reservoir: A tank that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body.
- Oxygenator: This is the part that works like an artificial lung. This is where oxygen is added to the blood.
- Pump: This is the artificial heart. It pumps the oxygenated blood back to the body at the right pressure.
The steps in this process during surgery
This is a very planned procedure performed by a team of experts. This team includes a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a perfusionist who has received special training to operate this machine.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparing the machine | There should be no air bubbles inside the machine's tubes. If they do, they can enter the body and cause a dangerous condition (air embolism). Therefore, the machine is filled with a special solution and the air is completely removed. |
| 2. Giving blood thinners | Our blood vessels have natural cells that prevent blood from clotting. But inside the plastic tubes of the machine, blood can easily clot. To prevent this, a blood thinner like heparin is given. |
| 3. Connecting to the machine | The medical team will connect you to the heart-lung machine. At this time, your heart and lungs are still working. They will make sure everything is working properly. |
| 4. Heart and lung stoppage | Once everything is working properly, cardioplegia is given to temporarily stop the heart. The ventilator that you are connected to is also turned off. The heart-lung machine now takes over. |
| 5. Monitoring during surgery | While the surgeon is performing the operation, the perfusionist continues to monitor the machine and your body's condition (temperature, pressure, etc.). |
| 6. Removing from the machine | After the surgery is complete, the medical team will carefully restart your heart and allow your lungs to function again. Then, you will be slowly removed from the machine. |
Is this method safe? What are the risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks involved in this procedure. But it is a very successful technique that is performed every day around the world. Your medical team is well-trained to manage these risks. The risks depend on your health before surgery and the length of time you are connected to the machine. In general, the risks are low if you are on the machine for less than three hours.
Some possible complications are:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Inflammation in the body
- Multi-organ failure - this is very rare.
If you have any concerns about these risks, talk to your doctor about them openly before the surgery so you can have a clear understanding.
Recovery time and when to see a doctor
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and your overall health. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to attend your appointments on time.
Emergency!
If any of the following stroke symptoms occur, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- A slight stumbling when speaking
- Sudden confusion
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is an amazing technology that helps save lives every day. It's normal to feel a little nervous about having your heart and lungs taken over by a machine like this. But talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have about this procedure. You can learn more about the procedure here: ne_BODY:
When a doctor tells you or someone you know that you need open-heart surgery, it's normal to feel a little nervous. You've probably heard stories like "the operation is performed after the heart stops." How is that actually done? How does blood flow to the body when the heart stops? How does it get oxygen? The answer to those questions is the heart-lung machine we're going to talk about, or in medical terms, the Cardiopulmonary Bypass . Let's talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
Although this name may seem a bit long, the meaning is very simple. Let's break it down into words.
- Cardio is for your heart .
- Pulmonary refers to your lungs .
- Bypass means to avoid something.
Simply put, Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure in which the blood flow in the body is temporarily bypassed by the heart and lungs during heart surgery and is directed through a special machine outside the body. This machine is also called a heart-lung machine .
Imagine a major road repair. At that time, the vehicles are diverted to another route until the work is done? That's what happens here too. It's easier for a surgeon to operate on the heart when the heart is not beating and not filled with blood. So this machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs. That means:
- It collects oxygen-depleted blood in the body.
- New oxygen is added to that blood.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.
- This cleaned, oxygenated blood is then pumped back into the body .
In this way, oxygenated blood is continuously supplied to all other organs of the body throughout the entire surgery. This process is called being "on the pump." Usually, a special drug solution called ``cardioplegia'' is given to stop the heart.
Are Cardiopulmonary Bypass and CABG different?
This is something that many people get confused about. These two are not the same thing, but they often occur together.
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is the name of the surgery . This is a surgery that creates a new path (bypass) for blood to flow through the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart when they become blocked by fatty deposits.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a technique used during CABG surgery (and other heart surgeries). It is a method used to bypass the heart and lungs to help the surgeon perform the CABG surgery more easily and safely.
Simply put, CABG is like building a car engine. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is like connecting a separate battery to the outside of the car to power things like the lights and AC while building the engine.
What types of surgeries require this method?
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is usually required for the following surgeries:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Surgery for aneurysms
- Heart transplant surgery
- Heart valve surgery (heart valve repair or replacement)
- Lung transplant surgery
How does this heart-lung machine work?
This machine is like a temporary heart and two lungs outside the body. Let's take a look at the main functions it performs.
| Machine function | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Removing blood from the heart | The body's oxygen-depleted blood is drawn into the machine. |
| Adding oxygen and removing CO2 | This is exactly what our lungs do. They add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. |
| Control of blood temperature and electrolyte levels | Helps reduce body temperature or maintain it at the required level during surgery. |
| Pumping back oxygenated blood | This is exactly what our heart does. It distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. |
| Giving heart-stopping drugs | To make it easier for the surgeon to work, the doctor will administer the necessary medication (cardioplegia) to temporarily stop the heart. |
What are the main parts of the machine?
This machine is a combination of several parts.
- Cannulas: These are special tubes that are connected to your body's blood vessels and used to collect blood from the machine and return it to your body.
- Reservoir: A tank that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body.
- Oxygenator: This is the part that works like an artificial lung. This is where oxygen is added to the blood.
- Pump: This is the artificial heart. It pumps the oxygenated blood back to the body at the right pressure.
The steps in this process during surgery
This is a very planned procedure performed by a team of experts. This team includes a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a perfusionist who has received special training to operate this machine.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparing the machine | There should be no air bubbles inside the machine's tubes. If they do, they can enter the body and cause a dangerous condition (air embolism). Therefore, the machine is filled with a special solution and the air is completely removed. |
| 2. Giving blood thinners | Our blood vessels have natural cells that prevent blood from clotting. But inside the plastic tubes of the machine, blood can easily clot. To prevent this, a blood thinner like heparin is given. |
| 3. Connecting to the machine | The medical team will connect you to the heart-lung machine. At this time, your heart and lungs are still working. They will make sure everything is working properly. |
| 4. Heart and lung stoppage | Once everything is working properly, cardioplegia is given to temporarily stop the heart. The ventilator that you are connected to is also turned off. The heart-lung machine now takes over. |
| 5. Monitoring during surgery | While the surgeon is performing the operation, the perfusionist continues to monitor the machine and your body's condition (temperature, pressure, etc.). |
| 6. Removing from the machine | After the surgery is complete, the medical team will carefully restart your heart and allow your lungs to function again. Then, you will be slowly removed from the machine. |
Is this method safe? What are the risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks involved in this procedure. But it is a very successful technique that is performed every day around the world. Your medical team is well-trained to manage these risks. The risks depend on your health before surgery and the length of time you are connected to the machine. In general, the risks are low if you are on the machine for less than three hours.
Some possible complications are:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Inflammation in the body
- Multi-organ failure - this is very rare.
If you have any concerns about these risks, talk to your doctor about them openly before the surgery so you can have a clear understanding.
Recovery time and when to see a doctor
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and your overall health. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to attend your appointments on time.
Emergency!
If any of the following stroke symptoms occur, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- A slight stumbling when speaking
- Sudden confusion
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is an amazing technology that helps save lives every day. It's normal to feel a little nervous about having your heart and lungs taken over by a machine like this. But talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have about this procedure. You can learn more about the procedure here: ne_BODY:
When a doctor tells you or someone you know that you need open-heart surgery, it's normal to feel a little nervous. You've probably heard stories like "the operation is performed after the heart stops." How is that actually done? How does blood flow to the body when the heart stops? How does it get oxygen? The answer to those questions is the heart-lung machine we're going to talk about, or in medical terms, the Cardiopulmonary Bypass . Let's talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
Although this name may seem a bit long, the meaning is very simple. Let's break it down into words.
- Cardio is for your heart .
- Pulmonary refers to your lungs .
- Bypass means to avoid something.
Simply put, Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure in which the blood flow in the body is temporarily bypassed by the heart and lungs during heart surgery and is directed through a special machine outside the body. This machine is also called a heart-lung machine .
Imagine a major road repair. At that time, the vehicles are diverted to another route until the work is done? That's what happens here too. It's easier for a surgeon to operate on the heart when the heart is not beating and not filled with blood. So this machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs. That means:
- It collects oxygen-depleted blood in the body.
- New oxygen is added to that blood.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.
- This cleaned, oxygenated blood is then pumped back into the body .
In this way, oxygenated blood is continuously supplied to all other organs of the body throughout the entire surgery. This process is called being "on the pump." Usually, a special drug solution called ``cardioplegia'' is given to stop the heart.
Are Cardiopulmonary Bypass and CABG different?
This is something that many people get confused about. These two are not the same thing, but they often occur together.
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is the name of the surgery . This is a surgery that creates a new path (bypass) for blood to flow through the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart when they become blocked by fatty deposits.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a technique used during CABG surgery (and other heart surgeries). It is a method used to bypass the heart and lungs to help the surgeon perform the CABG surgery more easily and safely.
Simply put, CABG is like building a car engine. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is like connecting a separate battery to the outside of the car to power things like the lights and AC while building the engine.
What types of surgeries require this method?
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is usually required for the following surgeries:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Surgery for aneurysms
- Heart transplant surgery
- Heart valve surgery (heart valve repair or replacement)
- Lung transplant surgery
How does this heart-lung machine work?
This machine is like a temporary heart and two lungs outside the body. Let's take a look at the main functions it performs.
| Machine function | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Removing blood from the heart | The body's oxygen-depleted blood is drawn into the machine. |
| Adding oxygen and removing CO2 | This is exactly what our lungs do. They add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. |
| Control of blood temperature and electrolyte levels | Helps reduce body temperature or maintain it at the required level during surgery. |
| Pumping back oxygenated blood | This is exactly what our heart does. It distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. |
| Giving heart-stopping drugs | To make it easier for the surgeon to work, the doctor will administer the necessary medication (cardioplegia) to temporarily stop the heart. |
What are the main parts of the machine?
This machine is a combination of several parts.
- Cannulas: These are special tubes that are connected to your body's blood vessels and used to collect blood from the machine and return it to your body.
- Reservoir: A tank that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body.
- Oxygenator: This is the part that works like an artificial lung. This is where oxygen is added to the blood.
- Pump: This is the artificial heart. It pumps the oxygenated blood back to the body at the right pressure.
The steps in this process during surgery
This is a very planned procedure performed by a team of experts. This team includes a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a perfusionist who has received special training to operate this machine.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparing the machine | There should be no air bubbles inside the machine's tubes. If they do, they can enter the body and cause a dangerous condition (air embolism). Therefore, the machine is filled with a special solution and the air is completely removed. |
| 2. Giving blood thinners | Our blood vessels have natural cells that prevent blood from clotting. But inside the plastic tubes of the machine, blood can easily clot. To prevent this, a blood thinner like heparin is given. |
| 3. Connecting to the machine | The medical team will connect you to the heart-lung machine. At this time, your heart and lungs are still working. They will make sure everything is working properly. |
| 4. Heart and lung stoppage | Once everything is working properly, cardioplegia is given to temporarily stop the heart. The ventilator that you are connected to is also turned off. The heart-lung machine now takes over. |
| 5. Monitoring during surgery | While the surgeon is performing the operation, the perfusionist continues to monitor the machine and your body's condition (temperature, pressure, etc.). |
| 6. Removing from the machine | After the surgery is complete, the medical team will carefully restart your heart and allow your lungs to function again. Then, you will be slowly removed from the machine. |
Is this method safe? What are the risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks involved in this procedure. But it is a very successful technique that is performed every day around the world. Your medical team is well-trained to manage these risks. The risks depend on your health before surgery and the length of time you are connected to the machine. In general, the risks are low if you are on the machine for less than three hours.
Some possible complications are:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Inflammation in the body
- Multi-organ failure - this is very rare.
If you have any concerns about these risks, talk to your doctor about them openly before the surgery so you can have a clear understanding.
Recovery time and when to see a doctor
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and your overall health. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to attend your appointments on time.
Emergency!
If any of the following stroke symptoms occur, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- A slight stumbling when speaking
- Sudden confusion
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is an amazing technology that helps save lives every day. It's normal to feel a little nervous about having your heart and lungs taken over by a machine like this. But talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have about this procedure. You can learn more about the procedure here: ne_BODY:
When a doctor tells you or someone you know that you need open-heart surgery, it's normal to feel a little nervous. You've probably heard stories like "the operation is performed after the heart stops." How is that actually done? How does blood flow to the body when the heart stops? How does it get oxygen? The answer to those questions is the heart-lung machine we're going to talk about, or in medical terms, the Cardiopulmonary Bypass . Let's talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
Although this name may seem a bit long, the meaning is very simple. Let's break it down into words.
- Cardio is for your heart .
- Pulmonary refers to your lungs .
- Bypass means to avoid something.
Simply put, Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure in which the blood flow in the body is temporarily bypassed by the heart and lungs during heart surgery and is directed through a special machine outside the body. This machine is also called a heart-lung machine .
Imagine a major road repair. At that time, the vehicles are diverted to another route until the work is done? That's what happens here too. It's easier for a surgeon to operate on the heart when the heart is not beating and not filled with blood. So this machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs. That means:
- It collects oxygen-depleted blood in the body.
- New oxygen is added to that blood.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.
- This cleaned, oxygenated blood is then pumped back into the body .
In this way, oxygenated blood is continuously supplied to all other organs of the body throughout the entire surgery. This process is called being "on the pump." Usually, a special drug solution called ``cardioplegia'' is given to stop the heart.
Are Cardiopulmonary Bypass and CABG different?
This is something that many people get confused about. These two are not the same thing, but they often occur together.
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is the name of the surgery . This is a surgery that creates a new path (bypass) for blood to flow through the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart when they become blocked by fatty deposits.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a technique used during CABG surgery (and other heart surgeries). It is a method used to bypass the heart and lungs to help the surgeon perform the CABG surgery more easily and safely.
Simply put, CABG is like building a car engine. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is like connecting a separate battery to the outside of the car to power things like the lights and AC while building the engine.
What types of surgeries require this method?
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is usually required for the following surgeries:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Surgery for aneurysms
- Heart transplant surgery
- Heart valve surgery (heart valve repair or replacement)
- Lung transplant surgery
How does this heart-lung machine work?
This machine is like a temporary heart and two lungs outside the body. Let's take a look at the main functions it performs.
| Machine function | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Removing blood from the heart | The body's oxygen-depleted blood is drawn into the machine. |
| Adding oxygen and removing CO2 | This is exactly what our lungs do. They add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. |
| Control of blood temperature and electrolyte levels | Helps reduce body temperature or maintain it at the required level during surgery. |
| Pumping back oxygenated blood | This is exactly what our heart does. It distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. |
| Giving heart-stopping drugs | To make it easier for the surgeon to work, the doctor will administer the necessary medication (cardioplegia) to temporarily stop the heart. |
What are the main parts of the machine?
This machine is a combination of several parts.
- Cannulas: These are special tubes that are connected to your body's blood vessels and used to collect blood from the machine and return it to your body.
- Reservoir: A tank that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body.
- Oxygenator: This is the part that works like an artificial lung. This is where oxygen is added to the blood.
- Pump: This is the artificial heart. It pumps the oxygenated blood back to the body at the right pressure.
The steps in this process during surgery
This is a very planned procedure performed by a team of experts. This team includes a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a perfusionist who has received special training to operate this machine.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparing the machine | There should be no air bubbles inside the machine's tubes. If they do, they can enter the body and cause a dangerous condition (air embolism). Therefore, the machine is filled with a special solution and the air is completely removed. |
| 2. Giving blood thinners | Our blood vessels have natural cells that prevent blood from clotting. But inside the plastic tubes of the machine, blood can easily clot. To prevent this, a blood thinner like heparin is given. |
| 3. Connecting to the machine | The medical team will connect you to the heart-lung machine. At this time, your heart and lungs are still working. They will make sure everything is working properly. |
| 4. Heart and lung stoppage | Once everything is working properly, cardioplegia is given to temporarily stop the heart. The ventilator that you are connected to is also turned off. The heart-lung machine now takes over. |
| 5. Monitoring during surgery | While the surgeon is performing the operation, the perfusionist continues to monitor the machine and your body's condition (temperature, pressure, etc.). |
| 6. Removing from the machine | After the surgery is complete, the medical team will carefully restart your heart and allow your lungs to function again. Then, you will be slowly removed from the machine. |
Is this method safe? What are the risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks involved in this procedure. But it is a very successful technique that is performed every day around the world. Your medical team is well-trained to manage these risks. The risks depend on your health before surgery and the length of time you are connected to the machine. In general, the risks are low if you are on the machine for less than three hours.
Some possible complications are:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Inflammation in the body
- Multi-organ failure - this is very rare.
If you have any concerns about these risks, talk to your doctor about them openly before the surgery so you can have a clear understanding.
Recovery time and when to see a doctor
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and your overall health. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to attend your appointments on time.
Emergency!
If any of the following stroke symptoms occur, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- A slight stumbling when speaking
- Sudden confusion
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is an amazing technology that helps save lives every day. It's normal to feel a little nervous about having your heart and lungs taken over by a machine like this. But talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have about this procedure. You can learn more about the procedure here: ne_BODY:
When a doctor tells you or someone you know that you need open-heart surgery, it's normal to feel a little nervous. You've probably heard stories like "the operation is performed after the heart stops." How is that actually done? How does blood flow to the body when the heart stops? How does it get oxygen? The answer to those questions is the heart-lung machine we're going to talk about, or in medical terms, the Cardiopulmonary Bypass . Let's talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Cardiopulmonary Bypass?
Although this name may seem a bit long, the meaning is very simple. Let's break it down into words.
- Cardio is for your heart .
- Pulmonary refers to your lungs .
- Bypass means to avoid something.
Simply put, Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure in which the blood flow in the body is temporarily bypassed by the heart and lungs during heart surgery and is directed through a special machine outside the body. This machine is also called a heart-lung machine .
Imagine a major road repair. At that time, the vehicles are diverted to another route until the work is done? That's what happens here too. It's easier for a surgeon to operate on the heart when the heart is not beating and not filled with blood. So this machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs. That means:
- It collects oxygen-depleted blood in the body.
- New oxygen is added to that blood.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.
- This cleaned, oxygenated blood is then pumped back into the body .
In this way, oxygenated blood is continuously supplied to all other organs of the body throughout the entire surgery. This process is called being "on the pump." Usually, a special drug solution called ``cardioplegia'' is given to stop the heart.
Are Cardiopulmonary Bypass and CABG different?
This is something that many people get confused about. These two are not the same thing, but they often occur together.
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is the name of the surgery . This is a surgery that creates a new path (bypass) for blood to flow through the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart when they become blocked by fatty deposits.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a technique used during CABG surgery (and other heart surgeries). It is a method used to bypass the heart and lungs to help the surgeon perform the CABG surgery more easily and safely.
Simply put, CABG is like building a car engine. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is like connecting a separate battery to the outside of the car to power things like the lights and AC while building the engine.
What types of surgeries require this method?
Cardiopulmonary Bypass is usually required for the following surgeries:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Surgery for aneurysms
- Heart transplant surgery
- Heart valve surgery (heart valve repair or replacement)
- Lung transplant surgery
How does this heart-lung machine work?
This machine is like a temporary heart and two lungs outside the body. Let's take a look at the main functions it performs.
| Machine function | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Removing blood from the heart | The body's oxygen-depleted blood is drawn into the machine. |
| Adding oxygen and removing CO2 | This is exactly what our lungs do. They add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. |
| Control of blood temperature and electrolyte levels | Helps reduce body temperature or maintain it at the required level during surgery. |
| Pumping back oxygenated blood | This is exactly what our heart does. It distributes oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. |
| Giving heart-stopping drugs | To make it easier for the surgeon to work, the doctor will administer the necessary medication (cardioplegia) to temporarily stop the heart. |
What are the main parts of the machine?
This machine is a combination of several parts.
- Cannulas: These are special tubes that are connected to your body's blood vessels and used to collect blood from the machine and return it to your body.
- Reservoir: A tank that collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body.
- Oxygenator: This is the part that works like an artificial lung. This is where oxygen is added to the blood.
- Pump: This is the artificial heart. It pumps the oxygenated blood back to the body at the right pressure.
The steps in this process during surgery
This is a very planned procedure performed by a team of experts. This team includes a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a perfusionist who has received special training to operate this machine.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparing the machine | There should be no air bubbles inside the machine's tubes. If they do, they can enter the body and cause a dangerous condition (air embolism). Therefore, the machine is filled with a special solution and the air is completely removed. |
| 2. Giving blood thinners | Our blood vessels have natural cells that prevent blood from clotting. But inside the plastic tubes of the machine, blood can easily clot. To prevent this, a blood thinner like heparin is given. |
| 3. Connecting to the machine | The medical team will connect you to the heart-lung machine. At this time, your heart and lungs are still working. They will make sure everything is working properly. |
| 4. Heart and lung stoppage | Once everything is working properly, cardioplegia is given to temporarily stop the heart. The ventilator that you are connected to is also turned off. The heart-lung machine now takes over. |
| 5. Monitoring during surgery | While the surgeon is performing the operation, the perfusionist continues to monitor the machine and your body's condition (temperature, pressure, etc.). |
| 6. Removing from the machine | After the surgery is complete, the medical team will carefully restart your heart and allow your lungs to function again. Then, you will be slowly removed from the machine. |
Is this method safe? What are the risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks involved in this procedure. But it is a very successful technique that is performed every day around the world. Your medical team is well-trained to manage these risks. The risks depend on your health before surgery and the length of time you are connected to the machine. In general, the risks are low if you are on the machine for less than three hours.
Some possible complications are:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Damage to the brain, lungs, or kidneys
- Inflammation in the body
- Multi-organ failure - this is very rare.
If you have any concerns about these risks, talk to your doctor about them openly before the surgery so you can have a clear understanding.
Recovery time and when to see a doctor
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and your overall health. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to attend your appointments on time.
Emergency!
If any of the following stroke symptoms occur, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- A slight stumbling when speaking
- Sudden confusion
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Cardiopulmonary bypass is an amazing technology that helps save lives every day. It's normal to feel a little nervous about having your heart and lungs taken over by a machine like this. But talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. The more you learn about this procedure, the less nervous you will feel on the day of your surgery.
Take-Home Message
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass is a procedure that uses a machine to temporarily take over the function of the heart and lungs during major heart surgery.
- This allows the surgeon to safely and easily perform surgery on a non-pulsating, bloodless heart.
- This machine continuously supplies oxygen-rich blood to the body during surgery.
- For this, a team of specialist doctors (surgeon, anesthesiologist, perfusionist) works together.
- As with every surgery, there are risks, but the medical team is trained to manage them.
- It is very important to talk to your doctor about any questions or fears you may have before surgery.
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