Start to finish you will be away from the unit for about 6-8 hours. This includes prepping, starting intravenous lines, anesthesia induction, surgery and stabilization to return to the intensive care unit. The surgery itself may last from 3-5 hours.

We try at all times to avoid the use of blood and employ many measures of conservation. However, approximately one third to one half of all our open heart surgery patients will need some blood. You may donate your own blood if you have sufficient time prior to your scheduled procedure. Please call the office for more specific information about blood donation.