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How Safe Is Heart Bypass Surgery?
how safe is heart bypass surgery? what are the chances of dying during surgery? how safe is heart bypass surgery? what are the chances of dying during surgery?
posted on
Sat, 12 Dec 2009
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 12 Dec 2009
Answered on
Sat, 29 Jan 2011
Last reviewed on
User's Response
andres's
Response
No surgery is safe. That's why you sign your life away before they operate on you. However, if you do not have by-pass surgery and you need it, you will die fairly soon. The procedure is done thousands of times a day. Find the best Doc in you town/city get him/her to accept you as their patient. The best Docs work at good hospitals and command good staff assignments. It will work out well for the patient 75-87% of the time.
No matter which hospital you choose, bypass surgery always comes with risks. About 2% of patients die in the hospital or within one month of the operation. A study in 2001 found that about one in four patients developed cognitive problems that remained evident six months after the operation. Another recent study found that more than 7% of all bypass patients experience acute kidney failure.
Some patients are especially likely to suffer complications. Patients in their 70s and beyond are automatically more vulnerable. The operation is also riskier for people who have an additional serious illness, such as diabetes, emphysema, or kidney failure.
Some patients are especially likely to suffer complications. Patients in their 70s and beyond are automatically more vulnerable. The operation is also riskier for people who have an additional serious illness, such as diabetes, emphysema, or kidney failure.
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User's Response
cbkwar's
Response
My husband need 4 by-passes, mitral valve repair and ablasion surgery. He also has a weakened heart and they have said a risk factor of 15%. Just what exactly does the risk factor of 15% mean
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
A percent risk factor of 15% probably means 15 people out of 100 have had negative side effects from the surgery/death.
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