Open Chest Maze Procedure

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Open chest maze procedure is an open heart surgery done to treat atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation, also called AF or A-fib, is the most common irregular heart rhythm (beat) problem. Normally, an electrical impulse (stimulus) is triggered by the sino-atrial node in the atria (top chambers of the heart). This impulse travels to the atrium and down the ventricles (lower chambers) in an orderly way. With AF, there are abnormally fast and disorganized impulses stimulating the atria. These impulses begin all together and go in different directions causing irregular, rapid, disordered, and ineffective heartbeats. When your heart beats too fast, you may have problems with the flow of blood in your body. Blood clots may form and cause angina (chest pain), heart attack, or a stroke.
  
  
• During an open chest maze procedure, a maze is created where the electrical impulse will take only one path. This maze is done by making and sewing incisions (cuts) on the left and right atrium to form scar tissue. This scar tissue will stop abnormal electrical signals from stimulating the atrium. Your caregiver may also use freezing substances, or radiowave, microwave, or ultrasound energy to make this scar tissue. Once the abnormal impulses are blocked or redirected, a normal heart rhythm may be restored. With an open chest maze procedure, atrial fibrillation may be treated and quality of life improved.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Diuretics: This medicine is given to decrease edema (excess fluid) that collects in a part of your body, such as your legs. Diuretics can also remove excess fluid from around your heart or lungs and decrease your blood pressure. It is often called water pills. You may urinate more often when you take this medicine.
  
  
• Clot busters: This medicine helps break apart blood clots, which may increase blood flow to your heart muscle. It is given in your IV and may be given at the same time as other blood thinners. This medicine may decrease the amount of damage to your heart muscle, and may even save your life. You will bleed and bruise more easily after getting clot busters.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Wellness tips:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods: This may help you have more energy and heal faster. Healthy foods include fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• Drink liquids as directed: Adults should drink between 9 and 13 eight-ounce cups of liquid every day. Ask what amount is best for you. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juice, and milk.
  
  
• Get plenty of exercise: Talk to your caregiver about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise can decrease your blood pressure and improve your health.
  
  
• Do not smoke: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. If you smoke, ask for information about how to stop.
  
  
• Manage stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing.

Lifestyle changes:

• Do not drink alcohol: Some people should not drink alcohol. These people include those with certain medical conditions or who take medicine that interacts with alcohol. Alcohol includes beer, wine, and liquor. Tell your caregiver if you drink alcohol. Ask him to help you stop drinking.
  
  
• Rest: Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

Wound care:

When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash the incisions with soap and water. Afterwards, put on clean, new bandages. Change your bandages any time they get wet or dirty. Ask your caregivers for more information about wound care.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have redness, discharge, or pain in the incision area or where the catheter was inserted.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your open chest maze procedure, illness, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Call 911 or an ambulance if you have any signs of a heart attack:
  
  
  • Discomfort in the center of your chest that feels like squeezing, pressure, fullness, or pain, that lasts for more than a few minutes or keeps returning
    
    
  • Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or one or both of your arms
    
    
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
    
    
  • Having trouble breathing
    
    
  • A sudden cold sweat, particularly in combination with chest discomfort or trouble breathing
    
    
  • Feeling very lightheaded or dizzy, particularly in combination with chest discomfort or trouble breathing
  
  
• You have signs of a stroke: The following signs are an emergency. Call 911 immediately if you have any of the following:
  
  
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face (may be on only one side of your body)
    
    
  • Confusion and problems speaking or understanding speech
    
    
  • A very bad headache that may feel like the worst headache of your life
    
    
  • Not being able to see out of one or both of your eyes
    
    
  • Feeling too dizzy to stand
  
  
• There is bleeding, increased bruising, and swelling in the incision area or where the catheter was inserted.
  
  
• Your leg used for the catheterization becomes cold, numb, pale, or is very painful.
  
  
• Your signs and symptoms come back or get worse.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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