- Sternum supports
- Sternum closure during surgery
- Mechanical valve prothesis, a vital decision
Improvements
Q: What are sternum supports?
A: These are belt- or vest-like devices which exert pressure on the sternum of the patient during recovery from cardiothoracic surgery.
Q: When to use them?
A: They are absolutely necessary to improve recovery in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) after cardiothoracic surgery.
Q: How do I know if I can use them?
A: Contact your surgeon and s/he will advise you with all kind of details.
Q: Why should I use them?
A: After heart surgery, your lungs need to expand. That is why deep breathing exercises (respiratory therapy), are essential for your recovery.
During surgery, a respirator or ventilator will breathe for you, and because of this your lungs retained water vapor, which is normally expelled when you exhale. Every time you cough, unwanted tension is caused on the wires or implants that keep your sternum joined. If this tension is not hold with some kind of sternum support, pain may occur causing slow recovery, and complications may sometimes appear.
Q: Which specific types of sternum supports exist for these surgeries?
A: It is very important that the selected devices are appropriate and specially designed for this cardiothoracic surgery, so that the patient has an adequate fastening without bearing an excessive oppression, which would be inadequate for your recovery.
- Belt-like devices with suspenders that support the patient during recovery (pressure on the sternum is controlled by the patient)
- Devices to help patients who have undergone surgical intervention (pressure on the sternum is constant and does not depend on the patient)
Q: How can I get more information?
A: Ask your doctor for advise and s/he will inform you correctly on the use and availability of sternum supports in the hospital or clinic where you are going to be operated. However, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about these supports.
Please note that the information contained on this site is not medical advice. It is only intended to provide information to you. Do always check with your doctor when making medical decisions.
Q: What does sternum closure mean?
A: These are devices which are placed to keep your sternum closed after cardiothoracic surgery. To have access to the body location that requires surgical therapy, surgeons have had to open your sternum previously.
Q: What types of surgeries is it used on?
A: On those where the opening of the sternum is essential to perform the surgery.
Q: How can I know if I am going to need a sternum closure in my operation?
A: Ask your surgeon and s/he will explain everything you need to know about your type of operation.
Q: What are the different types of sternum closure?
A: There are mainly two types:
- Those which are osseointegrated and therefore perforate the bone in order to achieve the sternum closure, without providing the flexibility required by the sternum to allow easy movement of your breathing
- Those which are not osseointegrated and therefore do not cross the bone, allowing the sternum to be closed without causing any harm, just holding it and making the sternum have some flexibility to allow the patient's respiratory movements with no pain.
Q: Do these closures remain in the bone after surgery?
A: These devices are indeed implanted in the bone, allowing you to have a normal life and so that the whole area of the sternum is recovered.
Q: Would I improve postoperative recovery using closure devices that do not damage the bone and that do not perforate it?
A: We have checked with a large group of patients that after cardiothoracic intervention, sternum pain was significantly reduced and they recovered much faster, thus having spent less time in hospital.
Q: How can I get more information on this type of sternum closure devices, which simply hold the sternum without damaging the bone?
A: Ask your surgeon and s/he will inform you appropriately about it; you can also contact us on our website.
Please note that the information contained on this site is not medical advice. It is only intended to provide information to you. Do always check with your doctor when making medical decisions.
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Valve replacement surgery can improve vitality and quality of life for patients with valvular heart disease when a heart valve is damaged. A key to the success of the procedure is the choice of an adequate prosthetic valve replacement, with the consideration of circumstances and specific preferences in each case. For patients or relatives who have an interest in the choice of the valve, we offer information on our On-X mechanical prosthesis, comparing them with other prosthetic heart valves. Due to its exceptional performance, On-X valve has recently become the first carbon mechanical valve to get approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for a trial of reduced anticoagulation. |
To understand the importance of a reduction in the levels of anticoagulation therapy, it is crucial to know that a patient with mechanical valve prostheses should take anticoagulators and this is associated with some risks; it also requires an adequate follow-up control by medical professionals. Any decrease in the levels of anticoagulation therapy affects the patient in a beneficial and critical way.
Through the future results of this test, responsible measures will be taken to establish minimum safe levels of anticoagulation therapy for On-X valve.
Until then, patients with On-X valves should continue to use the professional standard recommended by anticoagulant therapy.
Please note that the information contained on this site is not medical advice. It is only intended to provide you with information, on the design, materials and performance of the On-X prosthetic heart valve. Do please always check your doctor when making medical decisions.