Cardiotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision into the heart to access its chambers or surrounding structures for treatment. This procedure can be performed as part of open-heart surgeries, such as valve replacements, repair of congenital heart defects, or removal of foreign objects or tumors from the heart. Depending on the specific condition being treated, cardiotomy can involve opening the heart's ventricles or atria to allow surgeons to repair or correct the underlying issue. The procedure requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass to maintain circulation and oxygenation of the body while the heart is stopped for the surgery. Cardiotomy is typically required for patients with severe heart conditions that cannot be managed with less invasive methods, such as medications or catheter-based interventions. Common causes that lead to cardiotomy include damaged heart valves, structural defects like atrial or ventricular septal defects, or the need to remove blockages or tumors within the heart. Symptoms leading to cardiotomy may include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, heart murmurs, or signs of heart failure, which occur when the heart cannot pump blood effectively due to structural issues. Cardiotomy allows surgeons to directly address these problems, offering a solution that can restore normal heart function. While the procedure is complex and carries risks such as infection or bleeding, it is often life-saving and provides significant improvement in a patient's quality of life and long-term heart function when successful.
