With such an operation as open-heart surgery, the expertise of the doctors and the techniques they use is of paramount importance.

Here you will discover how you can have world-class medical care at a cost you can afford.

Reducing the Cost

Open heart surgery in the UK costs around 12,000 - 15,000, but in India this cost can be as little as 2,000 - 3,000 for the same treatment.

An Introduction to Open Heart Surgery

Any surgery where the chest is opened and surgery is performed on the heart directly is called open-heart surgery. The term "open" refers to the chest, not the heart itself, which may or may not be opened, depending on the type of surgery involved.

Open-heart surgery includes surgery on the heart arteries, muscle, valves, or other related areas.

The definition open-heart surgery is sometimes used for operations that include techniques that are performed through smaller incisions. This form of invasive surgery is still however classed as open-heart surgery.

Open Heart Surgery - Why it's Necessary

If non-surgical techniques such as diet and exercise are not effective in treating heart disease, medication can be prescribed.

If the heart disease persists in causing discomfort, an invasive procedure is then performed.

Diagnosis

To locate the arterial blockages in the heart, coronary arteriography (mapping of the coronary arteries) is done using a procedure called cardiac catheterization.

A plastic tube (called a catheter) is guided through an artery in the arm or leg leading into the coronary arteries. A liquid dye is then injected through the catheter. X-rays are then taken that follow the courses of the dye and by monitoring the dye's flow, blocked areas are identified.

There are several types of procedures that are commonly performed:

Coronary angioplasty

This is a common operation called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), also known, as angioplasty or balloon angioplasty.

A catheter is inserted toward the blocked area of the artery. A second catheter with a small balloon is passed through the first catheter. When the balloon reaches the blocked area, the balloon is inflated; this widens the artery allowing the blood to flow more freely.

Coronary Bypass

A coronary artery bypass graft is another common operation.

A healthy blood vessel is taken from another part of the body and is used to create a detour around the blocked coronary artery.

One end of the vessel is attached below the blockage, the other is attached above the blockage as a result, and blood flows more freely.

Heart Transplant

The most radical operation in open-heart surgery is that a transplant is needed.

The operation is complicated because so many blood vessels need to be disconnected and re-connected as one heart replaces the other. While the operation is taking place, the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine that keeps blood circulating around the body.

India - A World Leader in Open Heart Surgery

As we stated earlier with such an important operation as open heart surgery, the quality of treatment is paramount, but getting high quality treatment at a much reduced price is also attractive.

Indian medical care in private hospitals is renowned worldwide, as is the expertise of Indian doctors.

The expertise and facilities available mean that patients are getting the best treatment available at an affordable cost.