Understanding the technology
About This Technology.
The Operating Theatre is the operating room for heart and blood vessel surgery at Heartology Cardiovascular Hospital. Operations such as coronary bypass, valve repair or replacement, and aortic surgery take place here. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and surgical nurses work together, supported by anesthesia equipment, a heart-lung machine, and vital sign monitors.
What Is the Operating Theatre?
The Operating Theatre is an operating room prepared for heart and blood vessel surgery. Unlike the Cath Lab, where procedures are done through a catheter, operations here are performed through an incision so the surgeon can reach the heart, valves, or aorta directly. The room is kept sterile, meaning free of germs, to lower the risk of infection.
Its main equipment includes an anesthesia machine for general anesthesia and breathing support, monitors for heart rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, and a heart-lung machine. The heart-lung machine temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs so the surgeon can operate on a heart that has been briefly stopped. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), an ultrasound of the heart taken from the esophagus, may be used during surgery to check the valves and pumping strength.
Operations Performed
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for narrowing in several coronary arteries
- Aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve repair or replacement
- Aortic surgery, including the Bentall procedure
- Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) through small incisions for eligible patients
- Congenital heart surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, and hybrid procedures in selected cases
The Team at Work
Each operation is carried out by one team: a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a perfusionist (the health professional who runs the heart-lung machine), and surgical and anesthesia nurses. Before anesthesia, before the incision is made, and before the patient leaves the room, the team pauses to confirm the patient's identity, the planned operation, and the equipment against a surgical safety checklist.
Your Day of Surgery
In the preparation area, a nurse rechecks your identity, medicines, and test results, then places an IV line. In the operating room, the anesthesiologist gives general anesthesia so you are asleep and feel no pain. A breathing tube and monitoring lines are placed after you are asleep. After surgery, the team takes you to the cardiovascular ICU for close monitoring until your condition is stable.
Risks and the Decision to Operate
Heart surgery is a major operation. Its risks include bleeding, wound infection, heart rhythm problems, stroke, and kidney problems, and the level of risk differs from person to person. Your surgeon and cardiologist weigh these risks against the benefits of surgery, then explain them to you and your family before you give consent.
Clinical use
Uses and Benefits.
Whether this technology suits your condition is decided by a doctor after an evaluation.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Heart valve repair and replacement
- Aortic surgery, including the Bentall procedure
- Minimally invasive cardiac surgery for eligible patients
- Congenital heart surgery
- Peripheral vascular surgery
- Surgery combined with a catheter procedure (hybrid procedure) in selected cases
Benefits for the Doctor's Assessment
One Team in One Room
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and surgical nurses work together throughout the operation. Each team member has a clear role, from anesthesia to running the heart-lung machine.
Surgical Safety Checklist
Before anesthesia, before the incision, and before the patient leaves the room, the team confirms identity, the planned operation, and the equipment. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends this practice to prevent avoidable errors.
Continuous Monitoring During Surgery
Heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and body temperature are monitored throughout the operation, so the team can adjust medication and anesthesia promptly.
Direct Handover to the ICU
After surgery, the team accompanies the patient to the cardiovascular ICU. The anesthesiologist and surgical team brief the ICU team on how the operation went and the monitoring plan.
Brief Technical Information
- Facility type
- Sterile operating room for heart and blood vessel surgery
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Circulatory support
- Heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) when the operation requires it
- Core team
- Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, anesthesiologist, perfusionist, surgical nurses
- Service location
- Advanced Cardiovascular Surgical Care
