The term "Right Heart Bypasses" refers to a surgical procedure that reroutes blood flow to bypass blockages in the right side of the heart. It is spelled in English using the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription as /raɪt hɑːt ˈbaɪpæsɪz/. The first syllable, "right," is pronounced with the diphthong /aɪ/ as in "buy," followed by the stressed syllable "heart" with a long /ɑː/ sound. The final syllables "bypasses" use the short /ɪ/ sound followed by a pronounced /z/ sound.
Right heart bypasses are surgical procedures performed to redirect blood flow around a portion of the right side of the heart. The right heart is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs, where oxygen is added and carbon dioxide is removed. When there is a blockage or dysfunction in the right coronary artery or the right side of the heart, right heart bypasses may be necessary to restore proper blood flow and alleviate symptoms.
During a right heart bypass, a surgeon creates a new pathway for blood to flow by grafting a blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass the blocked or damaged area. This can be achieved using a variety of techniques, including using a vein from the leg or an artery from the chest. The new graft allows blood to flow directly from the main pulmonary artery to the pulmonary veins, bypassing the blocked or damaged area of the right heart.
Right heart bypasses are commonly performed in cases of right-sided heart failure, pulmonary artery stenosis (narrowing of the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs), or other congenital or acquired heart defects that affect the right side of the heart. These procedures aim to improve blood flow, reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, and enhance overall heart function.
It is important to note that right heart bypasses are serious surgical interventions and are usually performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. They require a skilled surgical team and careful post-operative care to ensure a successful outcome and minimize complications.