Open heart surgery is a surgery performed on the heart by a cardiologist, and for it, a patient is placed on a heart lung bypass machine. This machine takes over the function of the heart as well as lungs to offer oxygenated blood to the body. During the process, the heart has to be stopped with the help of a solution called cardioplegia, which is a cold potassium solution, and it protects the heart when it is stopped. This surgery is performed in children to repair the heart defect when a child is born with congenital heart defects. Just after birth, the child needs surgery for his/ her well being. 

Heart defects in children 

There are numerous kinds of heart defects in children, some are minor, and some are major. These defects can occur inside the heart or else in large blood vessels that are outside the heart. Some of the heart defects in children need surgery, which is done just after the baby is born. In many cases, cardiologists suggest waiting for months or years so that surgery can be done safely.

Symptoms that confirm that surgery is needed 

Below are some symptoms that indicate the need for open heart surgery in children

• Blue or grey skin, nail beds and lips as all these indicate that there is not enough oxygen in the blood

• Difficulty in breathing as lungs are filled with fluid

• A heart rate of heart rhythm problems

• Lack of growth 

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List of some best Cardiologist in India 

The Surgery is done for numerous cardiac defects counting ventricular septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, atrial septal defects, AV canals, and many other complex issues. To perform surgery best cardiologist has to access the heart and got it; he/she has to open the chest. For this, a cardiologist has to cut through the breast bone, also termed as sternotomy, and an incision is done. This skin incision is small enough then the length of the breast bone. When cardiologists recommend open-heart surgery, the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and all other studies that have been performed are all reviewed well. In the team, they discuss a child’s case and decide the best treatment plan for a successful outcome. India has many best cardiologists to perform the World's Largest Number of Heart Surgeries and Interventional Procedures. Some of the best cardiologists in India are :

1. Dr. Ashok Seth 

• Having 38 years of experience

• Performed the highest numbers of angiographies and angioplasties worldwide

2. Dr. Naresh Trehan

• Having 40 years of experience

• Performed more than 48000 heart surgeries

3. Dr. Sathyamurthy I

• Having 37 years of experience

• Expertise in interventional cardiology

4. Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty

• Having 34 years of experience

• Performed more than 15,000 heart operations out of which 5000 were on kids

5. Dr. Ajay Kaul

• Having 36 years of experience

• Performed more than r 10,000 Cardiac Surgeries as well as 4000 Total Arterial Coronary Bypass Surgeries.

6. Dr. Murtaza Ahmed Chishti

• Having 34 years of experience

• Specializes in Total Arterial Revascularization, Surgery of the Aorta, Heart and Lung Transplantation, and more 

7. Dr. Sandeep Attawar

• Having 22 years of experience

• Specializes in CABG or bypass surgery,paediatric heart surgery, replacement surgery, valve repair, and heart hole closure surgery

8. Dr. Girinath M R

• Having 45 years of experience

• Performed over 25,000 open heart surgeries and specializes in coronary bypass surgery, cardiac surgery for infants, cardiac transplantation and multi-valve replacement 

9. Dr. Balbir Singh

• Having 28 years of experience 

• Expertise in electrophysiology as well as pacing device implantation.                                          

10. Dr. Purushottam Kale

• Having 46 years of experience 

• Working as a Consultant with Department of Cardiology/Interventional at Fortis Hospital, Mulund – Mumbai

However, success rates of open-heart surgery in children highly depends upon particular defect for which surgery has to be done. According to the best cardiologist in India, corrective procedures like ventricular septal defect closures and atrial septal defect are highly successful with zero mortality. There are many other factors in open heart surgery in children that can affect the success rates like a premature delivered newborn having low birth weight as well as end-organ injury. After the surgery, the child will need three to four weeks at home to recover. In larger surgeries, recovery time can exceed six to eight weeks.

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