A cardiac surgeon provides consultations for patients with heart and major blood vessel diseases, assesses the need for heart surgery or invasive treatment, and helps choose the most appropriate treatment strategy. Cardiac surgery may be necessary in cases of congenital heart defects, heart valve diseases, coronary artery disease, aortic diseases and other complex heart conditions. Heart operations are used to treat coronary artery blockages, heart valve defects, congenital heart diseases and diseases of the major blood vessels related to the heart.
At the Cardiology Department of “Veselības centrs 4”, cardiac surgeon consultations are available for patients from the age of 18. During the consultation, the specialist evaluates the patient’s complaints, previously performed examinations and medical history, and, if necessary, provides recommendations for further diagnostics, invasive treatment or surgery.
When is a cardiac surgeon consultation necessary?
It is advisable to consult a cardiac surgeon if the patient has been diagnosed with, or is suspected of having, a disease that may require surgical or invasive treatment.
A cardiac surgeon consultation may be necessary in the following cases:
congenital heart defects in adults;
aortic diseases, such as aortic dilatation or other aortic pathologies;
heart valve diseases;
coronary artery disease;
the need to assess whether stent implantation or bypass surgery is more appropriate;
the need to obtain an independent specialist opinion before planned heart surgery;
complaints of shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, chest pain or pronounced fatigue, if cardiological examinations have already been performed;
follow-up after heart surgery or invasive treatment, if recommended by a doctor.
In cases of heart valve disease, accurate diagnostics, imaging and a multidisciplinary team of specialists play an important role in treatment decision-making. This is also emphasised in the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology.
How does a cardiac surgeon consultation take place?
During the consultation, the cardiac surgeon:
listens to the patient’s complaints and evaluates the symptoms;
analyses previously performed examinations;
assesses the need for heart surgery or invasive treatment;
explains possible treatment methods and their purpose;
provides recommendations for further examinations or treatment;
helps assess whether stent implantation, bypass surgery or another treatment method is more appropriate for the patient;
if necessary, recommends further treatment in a specialised hospital.
All previously performed examinations should be brought to the consultation, such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiography results, exercise stress test results, coronary angiography report, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging results, hospital discharge summaries and a list of medications used.
In what cases may heart surgery be necessary?
Heart surgery may be necessary if a disease of the heart or major blood vessels cannot be treated sufficiently effectively with medication or less invasive methods alone. For example, in the case of coronary artery disease, the doctor may assess whether the patient requires coronary artery bypass surgery, the aim of which is to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.
The role of the cardiac surgeon is to assess the patient’s individual situation, the severity of the disease, examination results and the possible risks and benefits of treatment.
Cardiac surgeon in Riga
The Cardiology Department of “Veselības centrs 4” offers cardiac surgeon consultations in Riga for patients with heart valve diseases, coronary artery disease, aortic diseases and congenital heart defects in adulthood.
Consultations are suitable for patients who need to assess the possibility of heart surgery, receive a specialist opinion on invasive treatment or clarify the further treatment plan.
Book a cardiac surgeon consultation in Riga if you have been diagnosed with heart disease and need to assess the possibilities of surgery or invasive treatment.
