Essentials of open heart surgery.

As Parirenyatwa continues its successful OPEN-HEART SURGERY PROGRAMME, it becomes important to emphasize that the essential determinants for cardiac surgical success include a comprehensive preoperative assessment of the patient; accurate definition of the fundamental lesion; ameliorative treatment of secondary effects such as cardiac failure, electrolyte imbalance and arrhythmia. In addition to the application of technical expertise in the performance of the operation, an optimal outcome depends on good intraoperative anesthetic management, the collaboration of pump technicians, and dedicated intensive care management in the postoperative period.