The Batista procedure is a heart procedure that is used to help prevent or treat heart failure. Surgeons remove a section of the unhealthy part of the heart and move it to another section of the heart to help make the shape more even. The procedure is fairly new and was invented by the Brazilian surgeon, Randas Batista, in 1994. The surgery helps reduce the size of an enlarged heart so that the blood flow can return to normal and the heart can work a little easier.
A person may need a Batista procedure if they are suffering from heart failure or have another condition that causes the heart to become enlarged. The procedure removes the enlarged part of the heart so it can work properly. In some cases, doctors may be able to prevent heart failure or other heart problems with the procedure.
Before a patient can undergo the Batista procedure, doctors need to evaluate the patient to ensure that they are in good health and can handle the surgery. The doctor performs a variety of tests before the procedure including echocardiogram or imaging scans to look at the heart. Patients will be asked to avoid eating for 12 hours before the surgery. Patients who take certain medication may also have to stop taking them in the days leading up to the procedure. Patients will be put to sleep for the surgery, and their vitals will be monitored during it.
During the procedure, doctors will open the chest cavity to expose the heart. They will cut out a triangular section of the enlarged part of the heart. This will allow the heart to return to a more normal size and allow the blood to flow back through each chamber properly. The doctors will stitch the incision and take the patient to recovery. The patient will be monitored over the next few days or longer to make sure the heart is working properly and that the patient is recovering well.
Recovery can take some time because the Batista procedure is considered major surgery. Patients must rest for several days after the procedure and will be monitored by doctors and nurses during this time. Patients are normally able to return home to complete their recovery after a week. It can take several weeks for a patient to completely recover.
There are some complications associated with the Batista procedure. As with any major surgery, there are risks of bleeding out, infection, and cardiac arrest. Patients may also experience some complications after the surgery. Some patients experience swelling, pain, bleeding, and other heart problems as a result of the surgery.
Most people have a good prognosis after receiving the Batista procedure. In many cases, the results can last for years. Patients must follow the doctor’s order and take the appropriate medication and make lifestyle changes to help prevent the heart from enlarging again. Some patients do require additional surgery.