Heart Surgery

How do I know that I may need heart surgery?

We can help. At Cardiology Specialists, Dr Dougal McClean can investigate whether you need Heart Surgery for heart artery blockages.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)

Sometimes the coronary angiogram shows many narrowings in all three coronary arteries. We can help work out whether stents are best, or referral for open-heart surgery with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This is major surgery where an artery from the chest wall (mammary artery), and saphenous vein grafts from the leg, are used to “bypass” the heart artery narrowings. This is performed under a general anaesthetic by a Heart surgeon who opens the chest wall. You will be in hospital for a week and it can take up to three months to fully recover. Dr Dougal McClean works closely with Heart surgeons to make sure you get the best possible treatment for your heart disease.

Despite a low cholesterol diet and exercise people can still develop heart blockages due to a family history inherited from their parents.

In the past, open heart surgery was the main treatment for heart blockages. Now many heart blockages can be treated by insertion of coronary stents using coronary angioplasty via a catheter from the wrist, see stents. At Cardiology Specialists we can help detect earlier whether you are predisposed to coronary disease. By using preventative medication the chances of requiring heart stents or surgery can be reduced. Dr Dougal McClean works with you to ensure that you are on medication that doesn’t cause side effects but lessens the chance of heart attacks or requiring heart surgery in the future.