Having Your Coronary Bypass in Panama

Only 3 hours from Miami

   

Coronary bypass surgery is the most commonly performed open heart surgery in the United States.  It is used to surgically treat coronary artery disease, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle.  This condition can result cause pain, create pressure and can lead to a heart attack.

The purpose of coronary bypass surgery is to create a new avenue for blood around a blockage by using arteries or veins from other parts of the body to transport oxygen and nutrients to heart.  It is not intended to repair or remove blocked coronaryarteries.  Successful coronary bypass surgery can result in a dramatic increase in blood flow to the heart muscle, reducing the symptoms of coronary artery disease. The procedure can improve a person's quality of life and prolong life, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Hospital Punta Pacifica is the first facility to be affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International in the Latin American and Caribbean region. This fact alone can give you confidence. At Punta Pacifica Hospital, you will be treated by outstanding surgeons and staff.  Many of the doctors and surgeons here are American trained and almost all are English speaking.  This new hospital facility is state of the art and located in the most prestigious part of Panama City.  At Punta Pacifica Hospital you will find a level of surgical excellence equal to that of the States but at far more reasonable prices.  In addition, your recovery time can be spent enjoying the incredible beauty of Panama, making your journey not only beneficial to your body, but to your mind and spirit as well.

At Punta Pacifica Hospital, we are committed to creating the perfect team for your surgical needs.  While all of the surgeons here are all gifted and leaders in their fields, we will review your medical records and assign the right doctor to your case.  We want you be rest assured that you have been paired with the perfect doctor to meet your needs.

Once you arrive in Panama City

Once you arrive in Panama City, you will meet with your surgeon face to face.  He or she will review your current condition and discuss your coronary bypass surgery again with you.  After agreeing on a plan, your coronary bypass surgery will be scheduled.
 
Prior to Surgery
Any necessary precautions prior to surgery will be outlined for you in the treatment plan.
Before surgery you will likely require:

• An echocardiogram –This procedure is an ultrasound of the heart and it is done to evaluate the structure and function of the heart.
• Cardiac catheterization –This procedure may be done to check for coronary artery disease or other cardiovascular disease that could complicate surgery.  This is routinely done for patients over 40 years old.
• Standard diagnostic tests – A standard set of tests, including blood tests, an electrocardiogram and a chest x-ray, are required.

If you are a smoker, you may be asked to stop for a time prior to your surgery.  You might also be asked to refrain from using vitamin E (in large does), aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines since they can lead to increased bleeding during surgery.

Typically, three or four coronary arteries are bypassed during surgery, and sometimes as many as six or seven bypasses may be done.

Most coronary bypass surgeries are still done conventionally -- a chest incision is made and the sternum is divided so that the rib cage can be opened to expose the heart. Although the procedure is called open-heart surgery, surgeons don't actually open the heart. They work on the outside of the heart.

Typically a heart-lung machine is used. This machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery. It allows the surgeon to place replacement grafts that provide detours for blood flow around blocked coronary arteries. In coronary bypass surgery, this pause in heart function allows the surgeon to make the delicate maneuvers that are necessary.

Blood vessel grafts are obtained from other arteries and veins in the body. Typically an artery in the chest is used. It's diverted from the chest wall, and one end is attached to a diseased coronary artery beyond the blockage.

Once the procedure is completed, the heart is restarted. When the surgical team is satisfied that the heart is beating strongly again, the heart-lung machine is disconnected. The chest incisions are then closed.

The sternum will knit back together in six to eight weeks and will be just as strong once the healing process is complete.

After your surgery

After surgery, patients are placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for up to two days.  When patients awake from general anesthesia, they can be groggy and disoriented.  Pain medication is used to minimize discomfort from the incision.

While in recovery, a patient breathes with the assistance of a ventilator. The breathing tube is usually removed within two to four hours after surgery. Intravenous (IV) fluids maintain hydration. One or more temporary drainage tubes exit the chest cavity to drain any excess blood or fluid that may build up after surgery. Patients may require blood transfusions during or after the operation.

The length of stay in the ICU depends on the complexity of the surgical procedure. When patients no longer requires the ICU's special facilities, they are moved to a monitored hospital unit.

Within 24 hours of surgery, most patients are out of bed, and they are able to walk within one or two days. Over the next few days, patients usually regain sufficient strength to be discharged within five to seven days after surgery.

In most instances, recovery is rapid. Most patients are able to drive in about three weeks. Sexual activity can be resumed in three to four weeks. The main limitation to activity is healing of the sternum which may take up to 12 weeks.

Following conventional bypass surgery, a patient can expect a recovery period of about six to 12 weeks. People who have non-physical jobs often return to work after six weeks. It may be 12 weeks or more before patients can return to strenuous jobs.

Once fully recovered, most people who have bypass surgery are able to resume normal activities, and over 90 percent have a substantial lessening of angina. However, new blockages may occur and may require a second bypass, angioplasty, other procedures, or changes in medication. The risk can be reduced by discontinuing smoking, eating a healthy diet, taking prescribed medications and getting regular physical activity.

Most patients can expect to feel more tired than usual and their stamina may not yet be completely normal.  Full energy levels usually start to return in about three months.  After six months, most patients are back to normal.

Nearly all patients benefit from cardiac rehabilitation after surgery. Rehabilitation usually focuses on lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise as well as psychological issues. These programs are tailored to each person because individual circumstances vary.  The hospital is designed to the standards of Johns Hopkins Medicine International.

Surgical Travels ALWAYS provides personalized follow-up care… that’s what sets us apart from the others. It might make us a little more expensive, but we believe that visiting patients several times a day after surgery to review progress and addressing any concerns is of upmost importance.  Every patient of GSN is given a cell phone, and a 24-7 on call nurse.

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